New Delhi: An Indian sailor was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel near Limah in Oman last evening, triggering a strong condemnation of the strike by India which renewed its call for immediate de-escalation of tensions in West Asia.
The death of the Indian took the number of Indian nationals killed since the conflict began in the region in February to 23 that included 15 Indian seafarers.
In its reaction to the latest attack on the vessel, New Delhi also pressed for conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in West Asia so that peace and stability can return to the region.
MSV Al Jusufi had a total of 14 Indian nationals and 13 of them have been rescued, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
"We condemn the attack on a commercial vessel MSV Al Jusufi near Limah, Oman, yesterday evening. Of the 14 Indian nationals on board, 13 have been rescued while one Indian national tragically lost his life after sustaining injuries," it said.
The MEA said the Indian embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the rescued Indian nationals and the mortal remains of the deceased.
New Delhi said the continuing incidents of attacks on commercial shipping in the region are "deeply concerning".
"We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation of tensions, and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution so that peace and stability can return to the region," the MEA said.
"The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the international waterways in the region, in keeping with international law, must be restored at the earliest," it said in a statement.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing that 23 Indian nationals were killed in the West Asia conflict so far.
"We have lost 23 Indian nationals in the conflict in West Asia, out of which 15 were Indian seafarers," he said.
Jaiswal, responding to a question on Russia-Ukraine conflict, also said that five Indians were killed so far in attacks in the Black Sea region.
"We have lost five Indian nationals, and two continue to be missing," he said.
The West Asia conflict began in February following attacks on Iran by the US and Israel. New Delhi has been consistently calling for finding a solution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
There has been a sudden escalation in tensions in West Asia, especially after the Houthis carried out several strikes on Saudi Arabia.
India has been voicing serious concern over the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's civilian infrastructure and economic assets, cautioning that such strikes undermine regional stability and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.
The Iran-backed Houthi militant group had attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline which is considered very crucial for supply of crude oil.
Ever since the conflict involving Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the East-West pipeline has served as a critical bypass for Saudi Arabia's oil exports.
The Houthi attacks have also triggered concerns over the safety of the Bab-el-Mandeb shipping lane.
The Bab-el-Mandeb is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, located between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.
