The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has once again summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge a formal protest over the continuing attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. The latest incident marks the third attack involving ships carrying Indian seafarers in the last four days.

The move comes a day after another commercial vessel carrying 20 Indian crew members came under attack in the region.

This is the second time the US mission has been summoned by the MEA over the worsening maritime security situation. The American envoy was called in by the Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs, who conveyed India's serious concerns over the repeated incidents.

Three Indian seafarers, who were initially reported missing following one of the previous attacks, have now been confirmed dead.

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Three Attacks in Four Days: Ships With Indian Crew Targeted Near Oman

According to official data cited by ANI, the US military targeted three foreign-flagged merchant vessels operating with Indian crew members off the coast of Oman over the past four days.

The first incident took place on June 8, when US forces disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker Marivex, which had 24 Indian crew members on board. While all personnel from that vessel were rescued safely, a second Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, was struck on June 10, resulting in the deaths of the three Indian seafarers.

How India Responded

Speaking during an inter-ministerial media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafaring community. When this particular attack on the ship MT Settebello occurred, we lodged a strong protest with the American side."

"We summoned the US Chargé d'Affaires, and he was conveyed our deepest concern over the ongoing incidents of attacks. We also registered our strong protest," he added, stressing that these military actions "must stop" immediately.

(US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks at MEA (Photo/ANI)

India has called for an immediate end to hostilities and urged all sides to return to diplomatic engagement to ensure the safety of critical global shipping routes.

Jaiswal also clarified that the strikes were carried out by US Navy units operating in the region, while noting that the targeted vessels were not Indian-owned.

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"The three ships that have been involved in these incidents were foreign-flagged vessels. Two of them were Palau-flagged, while the third ship is Guinea-Bissau-flagged. They were not Indian-owned ships," he said.

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Government data further shows that more than 18,000 Indian seafarers are currently deployed across the Gulf region.

Of these, 562 crew members are serving aboard 13 Indian-flagged vessels. Around 329 personnel are stationed on ships operating west of the Strait of Hormuz, while 233 are deployed on vessels navigating the Gulf of Oman.

( With inputs from agency )