India protests vessel attack off Oman coast, 3 Indian crew members still missing

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New Delhi: India on Wednesday severely condemned the attack on a commercial ship off the coast of Oman with 24 Indians on board.

The incident has once again raised issues of maritime security in the region amidst mounting tensions in the Middle East.

In a major diplomatic action, Jason Meeks, charge d’affaires of the United States in New Delhi, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs, and a formal protest was lodged with him concerning the attack.

The demarche was made by Additional Secretary Nagaraj Naidu on behalf of the Indian Government.

The Ministry of External Affairs said that 21 Indian sailors have been rescued, while 3 Indian nationals are still missing.

Search operations are ongoing.

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The Indian Embassy in Oman has been coordinating with Omani authorities and relevant agencies in ongoing search and rescue operations, and all possible help is being extended to the affected crew and their families.

The attack has occurred at a time when there is already high tension in the Gulf, with recent security concerns raising the stakes for commercial shipping.

These waters, in the vicinity of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, are some of the busiest sea routes on the planet for shipping.

While no further details on the exact nature of the attack or its perpetrators have been released by Indian authorities, they emphasize the need to ensure the safety of civilian vessels and international shipping lanes.

With rescue operations to locate the three missing Indian sailors still ongoing, the incident has been in international focus and has re-emphasized security concerns for maritime transport along one of the world’s most strategically crucial waterways.

Also Read: Middle East on edge as Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closure

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