India on Thursday condemned the attack on an Indian-flagged commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, calling the targeting of civilian shipping “unacceptable” and urging restraint to protect freedom of navigation and maritime commerce.
“The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.
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Jaiswal said all Indian crew members aboard the vessel were safe and thanked Omani authorities for rescuing them.
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“India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided,” he added.
The incident comes amid rising security concerns in key maritime trade routes in the region.
