India Says Attack on Vessel off Oman Coast 'Unacceptable'; 13 Indians Rescued, One Still Missing
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New Delhi: India on Sunday (September 13) condemned the attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman calling it "unacceptable". Thirteen of the 14 Indian crew members onboard have been rescued and search and rescue operations continue for one person.
"We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel MT El Gaia off the coast of Oman earlier today. Of the 14 Indian crew onboard, 13 Indians have been rescued so far. Search and Rescue operations for the missing Indian national are continuing," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
The ministry mentioned that the Embassy in Oman was closely monitoring the situation and "proactively coordinating" with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation and thanked the Omani authorities for their support.
Further, the MEA called for immediate de-escalation of tensions adding that the targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region was "unacceptable".
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"We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions and pursuance of dialogue and diplomacy to bring peace to the region. The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers, civilians, and civilian infrastructure in the region is unacceptable. We also urge that free and safe navigation and flow of commerce through the international waterways in the region be restored at the earliest," it wrote.
Notably, during the BRICS summit in New Delhi, the participating nations including Saudi Arabia, Iran and the UAE, have called for de-escalation and peace in the region.
“We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation,” the New Delhi Declaration adopted at the summit on Saturday mentioned.
Further, the BRICS leaders urged for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with the UN Charter, “including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the states.”
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