India Summons Top US Diplomat Over Attack On Ship Carrying Indians Off Oman Coast

New Delhi: India on Wednesday summoned Jason Meeks, the United States Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi, after a vessel with Indian crew was attacked off the Oman coast. The US diplomat was summoned to lodge a formal protest over the attack. Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), is expected to present India's concerns at the meeting as tensions in West Asia intensify and risks to global maritime trade routes increase.The development came after India strongly condemned the attack on the ship. Notably, three out of 24 Indian crew members on board the commercial are missing. The vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman on Wednesday. In its reaction, New Delhi said the targeting of commercial shipping

and civilian infrastructure in West Asia must end, and free and unimpeded navigation through the international waterways should be restored at the earliest."We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far, and three Indians are reportedly missing," the MEA said. The MEA said Indian missions in the region are in touch with local authorities and are extending all possible assistance. New Delhi has repeatedly called for the protection of commercial shipping routes and the safety of civilian crew members, stressing that freedom of navigation must not be compromised.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9ol2ZchX2U

"The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region," the MEA said. "We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region," it added.The attack on commercial vessel Settebello came two days after a Palao-flagged vessel came under attack of the US Navy as the ship tried to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports.