US summons Oman diplomat over missing Indians.
MEA summoned US diplomat Jason Meeks for 30 minutes.
India Summons US Diplomat Over Attack on Vessel Off Oman Coast; Three Indian Crew Missing
New Delhi: India has formally taken up with the United States the issue of three missing Indian crew members following an attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman. In a strong diplomatic move, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US diplomat Jason Meeks for a 30-minute meeting at its headquarters in New Delhi. During the meeting, India handed over a demarche—a formal diplomatic representation—seeking an explanation from the US regarding the incident.
The attack occurred on Wednesday, June 10, targeting the commercial vessel Settebello near Omani waters. According to the MEA, the vessel had 24 Indian crew members on board at the time of the strike. While 21 Indians have since been rescued, three remain missing. The Indian government expressed deep concern over the incident and issued a statement strongly condemning the attack.
The MEA’s statement read: “We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today.
The attack on the Settebello comes just two days after a separate incident involving a Palau-flagged vessel, which also carried 24 Indian nationals. That ship reportedly came under attack by the US Navy as it attempted to evade the US blockade of Iranian ports.
The MEA has confirmed that the Indian embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation. Embassy officials are proactively coordinating with local authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation to locate the three missing crew members.
India’s demarche to the United States signals growing frustration over what New Delhi views as a deteriorating security environment for civilian vessels in West Asian waters. While the US has not yet issued an official response to the Indian representation, the summoning of diplomat Jason Meeks underscores the seriousness with which India views both the safety of its citizens and the principle of freedom of navigation.
The Indian government has reiterated its call for all parties involved in the regional conflict to respect international maritime laws and ensure the protection of civilian shipping. As search operations continue off the coast of Oman, families of the missing crew members await news, while Indian officials push for greater accountability and transparency from the United States regarding the circumstances leading to the attack.
The MEA has also indicated that it will continue to engage with other regional stakeholders to prevent further escalation and safeguard Indian nationals working on commercial vessels in high-risk zones. The missing crew members’ identities have not yet been released, pending notification of their families.