India condemns attack on Cyprus-flagged vessel; 1 Indian seafarer missing

India condemned the attack on GFS Galaxy as deeply worrisome and said its embassy in Oman was coordinating with local authorities in the search operation

Amid renewed hostilities in West Asia, a Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel carrying 11 Indian seafarers came under attack off the coast of Oman on Sunday, with one Indian crew member still missing.

 

India condemned the attack on GFS Galaxy, saying the “continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply worrisome.”

 

The attack came amid the latest escalation between the US and Iran. The US Central Command said the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) had “blatantly attacked” the vessel while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, leaving one civilian crew member missing and the ship unable to continue its voyage because of an onboard fire and significant engine-room damage.

 

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India’s embassy in Oman is coordinating with authorities in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation. Oman said 23 crew members had been rescued and the search was continuing for the missing crew member. 

 

India also reiterated its call for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a diplomatic resolution to restore peace and stability in the region. “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest,” the MEA said.

 

According to sources, India is also in touch with the Iranian authorities to secure safe passage for at least nine tankers carrying oil and liquefied petroleum gas waiting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait last week and was in Oman on Friday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi travelled to Oman on Saturday for talks on the future of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Last month, attacks on commercial vessels in the region killed an Indian seafarer, prompting the MEA to summon the US Chargé d’Affaires twice within 48 hours. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also raised the issue with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.

 

The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments and is critical to India's energy security. Renewed hostilities could disrupt energy supplies despite India's efforts to diversify crude imports. Around 10 million Indians live and work in West Asia.