India is deeply concerned about the blockades in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the Strait of Hormuz, with the Ministry of External Affairs expressing these worries on Tuesday, following a surge in Houthi attacks on Saudi cities. An incident involving a ship with Indian seafarers off the coast of Oman has added urgency to the situation.
A Panamanian oil tanker, El Gaia, carrying 14 Indian crew members, encountered trouble on Sunday near the Omani coast. It is suspected that the vessel struck an Iranian mine. The tanker is now being towed back to Oman. Thirteen Indian crew members were rescued, but one remains missing. Omani authorities are actively assisting in the search for the missing seafarer.
During a press briefing, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the attacks on Saudi territory, emphasizing that such actions jeopardize regional stability and the freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Despite tensions, Jaiswal reassured that oil supplies from the area remain uninterrupted.
The incident with the El Gaia coincided with the BRICS Summit in Delhi, where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Their talks focused on the security of the 2.4 million Indians residing in Saudi Arabia, as several Saudi cities remain on high alert due to Houthi attacks.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the summit. Modi highlighted the need for safeguarding freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers. However, there was no indication of any commitments from the Iranian President regarding the safe passage of Indian ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
The El Gaia was reportedly targeted by an Iranian missile last month and faced a drone attack over the weekend, according to U. S. military claims. India has expressed gratitude to Oman for aiding the rescue of Indian nationals. The Indian embassy in Muscat is in close contact with Omani officials.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi mentioned a meeting between Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit. Wang claimed Modi assured Xi that India would not permit anti-China activities on its soil. However, Jaiswal clarified that Modi's comments were about mutual respect and sensitivity to each other's core concerns.
As events unfold, India calls for the restoration of safe navigation and trade in these crucial international waterways. The focus remains on regional stability and the protection of civilian infrastructure.
