India on Tuesday condemned recent strikes on merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz, calling them violent acts against seafarers that endanger safe passage on a key global trade route.
Hours after missiles hit two vessels and killed one Indian crew member while injuring others, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Iran’s deputy chief of mission in New Delhi and lodged a formal protest.
The incident adds to a rising number of Indian seafarer casualties in the conflict zone. Since fighting began on 28 February, at least nine Indian crew members have died in related strikes.
The first death occurred on 1 March when an oil tanker was attacked. Two more Indian sailors were killed hours later near Oman’s coast. Additional fatalities followed in May during further strikes on tankers.
The ministry expressed deep concern over the latest attacks on two UAE-flagged vessels carrying 30 Indian crew members. It urged an immediate end to violence and a return to dialogue for regional stability.
Attacks on commercial shipping must stop, the ministry said, to restore free navigation under international law. One Indian on the first vessel died and another was hurt, while nine on the second were injured, two seriously.
India offered condolences to the victim’s family and wished the injured a quick recovery. Its missions in the UAE are monitoring the situation and assisting affected crew. The Iranian diplomat received a strong protest over the strikes that targeted seafarers and disrupted traffic through the strait.
