MEA Flags Deep Concern Over West Asia Shipping Attacks

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed deep concern over repeated attacks on commercial shipping in West Asia, calling them “deeply worrisome” and a direct fallout of the ongoing conflict in the region, as evacuation of Indian crew members from the vessel MT Jalveer began to Shinas Port in Oman. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi places the highest priority on the safety of Indian seafarers and called for an end to attacks on commercial vessels.

The Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer reportedly came under attack off Shinas Port on the Omani coast. The vessel has 20 Indian seafarers on board, all of whom are reported safe with no casualties or injuries, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal confirmed that crew evacuation to Shinas Port has commenced, with assistance from the Royal Navy of Oman, and is expected to be completed soon.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat is closely coordinating with Omani authorities for the safe evacuation of the crew. In a post on X, the embassy said, “Evacuation of crew from MT Jalveer to Shinas port is being coordinated with assistance from Royal Navy of Oman, and shall soon be complete.”

This incident comes amid a string of attacks on tankers in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, including recent US strikes on Iranian-linked vessels that left three Indian sailors missing and raised alarms over the safety of Indian crews on commercial ships. MEA has voiced concern over the growing threat to shipping routes and the impact of the conflict on global trade corridors, particularly the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.