India has strongly condemned the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirming that 13 of the 14 Indian crew members have been rescued so far. Search and rescue efforts are continuing for the remaining Indian national, while the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely coordinating with Omani authorities.
The development comes amid heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers in the region. The MEA, in a statement dated September 13, said India was closely monitoring the situation and working with Omani authorities to support the ongoing rescue operation.
India Condemns Attack on MT El Gaia
The MEA condemned the attack on MT El Gaia, a commercial vessel operating off the Omani coast. According to the statement, 14 Indian crew members were onboard the vessel when the incident occurred.
Of them, 13 Indians have been rescued so far, while search and rescue operations remain underway for the missing Indian national.
India’s diplomatic mission in Oman is monitoring developments and coordinating proactively with the authorities involved in the rescue effort. New Delhi also expressed appreciation to the Omani authorities for their assistance in rescuing Indian nationals.
The government has not attributed responsibility for the attack in the statement. The immediate focus remains on locating the missing crew member and ensuring the safety and well-being of those affected.
India Calls for De-Escalation and Safe Navigation
The MEA reiterated India’s call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and urged all concerned parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace in the region.
India also stressed that attacks targeting commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable. The statement underlined the importance of restoring free and safe navigation and ensuring the uninterrupted movement of commerce through international waterways.
The latest incident has renewed attention on the risks faced by merchant vessels and their crews as geopolitical tensions continue to affect important maritime routes.
For India, the safety of its seafarers has become an increasingly important diplomatic issue, particularly as Indian nationals form a significant part of the global maritime workforce.
PM Modi Raises Seafarers’ Safety at BRICS
The issue of maritime security and seafarer safety was also highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 18th BRICS Summit and its associated business forum in New Delhi.
Addressing the BRICS Business Forum on September 11, Modi stressed that global trade depends on secure maritime routes and safe working conditions for crews at sea. He said, “Global trade can move forward only when sea lanes are secure, supply routes remain open, and seafarers are safe.”
Modi described India as a strong supporter of freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers, linking maritime security directly with the stability of global commerce.
His remarks came as conflicts and tensions in West Asia and the Black Sea region continued to affect shipping, energy flows and international trade.
Modi Proposes Emergency Support Network
During the opening session of the BRICS Summit, Modi also proposed the creation of a Seafarers Emergency Support Network among BRICS countries.
The proposed mechanism would connect maritime authorities and diplomatic missions of concerned countries to provide assistance during emergencies, including distress alerts, medical support, communication with families and evacuation assistance.
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The proposal reflects India’s broader effort to strengthen international cooperation for protecting seafarers, particularly during maritime emergencies and regional conflicts.
Modi’s message at BRICS was that economic cooperation cannot be separated from secure transportation networks. With BRICS countries accounting for a substantial share of global population, GDP and trade, the safety of maritime routes remains critical to the bloc’s economic ambitions.
India Stresses Protection of Commercial Shipping
The MT El Gaia incident has added urgency to India’s repeated calls for the protection of commercial vessels and seafarers.
In separate talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Modi also highlighted the need to safeguard freedom of navigation and commerce in West Asia and stressed the safety and well-being of seafarers.
Modi also raised concerns about the impact of regional conflicts on maritime trade and Indian seafarers during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Against this backdrop, India’s condemnation of the attack on MT El Gaia reinforces its position that commercial shipping and civilian seafarers must remain protected.
The immediate priority remains the search for the missing Indian crew member. Indian authorities, through the Embassy in Oman, are continuing coordination with Omani agencies as the search and rescue operation proceeds.
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