India Summons Iran Deputy Envoy After Indian Sailor Killed in Strait of Hormuz Attack
New Delhi: India has summoned the Iranian deputy chief of mission to lodge a strong protest after an Indian national was killed and two others critically injured in fresh attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern over the attacks on two vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, on Tuesday. Both ships were carrying 30 Indian seafarers among their combined crew of 46.
In a statement, the MEA confirmed that one Indian crew member on MT Al Bahiyah died and another was injured. The ministry extended condolences to the family of the deceased. Since the escalation of hostilities in West Asia on February 28, 13 Indians have been killed and three are missing, according to government sources.
The Indian government urged de-escalation and called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial vessels. “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must cease,” the MEA said, adding that free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways must be restored in keeping with international law.
According to the UAE defence ministry, the Emirati oil tankers were hit by Iranian cruise missiles. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that two “offending” supertankers were disabled after ignoring repeated warnings. India’s mission in the UAE is closely monitoring the situation and providing assistance to affected seafarers.
