New Delhi, 14 July  

India on Tuesday strongly protested the strikes on commercial ships, describing them as aggressive acts directed at crew members that jeopardise the unhindered and secure passage of shipping traffic across global sea lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

The official response was released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) soon after South Block called in the Iranian Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi to register a "strong protest" regarding the targeted strike on two ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that resulted in the death of one Indian sailor and left multiple crew members wounded.

According to the official release, the MEA conveyed its"deep concern" regarding the restart of maritime strikes and the intensifying friction across West Asia, calling for a swift end to hostilities alongside a return to negotiations and diplomatic engagement to safeguard regional tranquillity, safety and stability.

The MEA further underlined that strikes directed at commercial shipping vessels and non-military installations across the region "must cease" to ensure that unrestricted, unhindered transit and maritime trade across global shipping channels can be restored swiftly, in line with international legal frameworks.

Elaborating on the scale of the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that India was "deeply concerned" by the strikes launched against MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa. The ministry noted that both ships carried an aggregate of 30 Indian sailors out of a total complement of 46 personnel.

Sharing specific casualty data, the MEA reported that oneIndian citizen out of the 12 serving on MT Al Bahiyah lost his life, while another sustained injuries. Out of the 18 Indian nationals deployed on MT Mombasa, nine crew members suffered injuries, with two individuals currently stated to be in a critical condition.

Conveying the government's sorrow, the ministry offered its "deepest condolences" to the family of the deceased sailor while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured personnel.

The MEA noted that India's diplomatic mission and consulate in the UAE are monitoring developments closely and remain in constant communication with the Emirati authorities to ensure the delivery of all necessary assistance to the affected Indian sailors.

Highlighting the immediate diplomatic measures initiated by New Delhi, the ministry detailed that India on Tuesday summoned the Iranian Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi to lodge a "strong protest" over the missile strike on the two ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, which caused the death of one Indian sailor and injured several others.

"The Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi was summoned this morning by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest against these attacks was lodged with him," the statement read.