India Calls for Immediate Ceasefire Following Assault on Panama-Flagged Ship
India has strongly condemned the recent projectile attack on the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in injuries to 12 of the 19 crew members, 11 of whom are Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that the incident occurred while the vessel was navigating near Oman, emphasizing the urgent need to halt assaults on civilian maritime infrastructure and seafarers.
In its official statement, the MEA confirmed that the injured crew members were safely evacuated and are receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman. The ministry expressed gratitude towards the Omani authorities for their assistance in the evacuation process. The MEA reiterated its condemnation of ongoing attacks on commercial shipping, calling for an immediate end to hostilities to restore peace and stability in the region.
The situation is further complicated by reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which indicated that another commercial tanker had to alter its course after being threatened by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This incident underscores the heightened security risks faced by vessels in global maritime corridors, particularly in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Black Sea.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised concerns over maritime security during his address at the United Nations General Assembly, highlighting the unacceptable nature of attacks on commercial shipping and the need for international cooperation to safeguard seafarers and shipping routes. He called for immediate restraint in the Gulf region to protect civilian crews and ensure the uninterrupted flow of global trade and energy supplies.
