NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Tuesday condemned attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, in which two foreign seafarers were killed and several crew members including Indian nationals were injured.In an official statement, the MEA condemned the attack on MV ROYAD MAMMADOV in the Black Sea saying, “We condemn the attack on MV ROYAD MAMMADOV in the Black Sea in which two foreign seafarers were killed and some members of the crew, including Indian nationals injured.”“The injured have been rescued by Romanian authorities and are receiving medical attention. The three Indian nationals, who were part crew of the ship, are safe. We thank Romanian authorities for their swift action in this incident,” the MEA said.“India views these attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers with grave concern. The targeting of traffic in international waterways is severely undermining global commerce and welfare of people across the world. We continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts,” it added.The ministry also highlighted a new international initiative launched by India and Liberia at the UN General Assembly in September 2026.“In September 2026, India and Liberia launched a new 25-nation “Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers” during the UN General Assembly to ensure safety and security of merchant crews and commercial shipping against targeted attacks,” it said.The MEA also condemned a projectile strike on the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace off the coast of Oman while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel had 19 crew members, including 17 Indian nationals.According to MEA, 12 crew members were injured, including 11 Indians.“We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace (IMO 9893204) off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Of the total crew of 19, 17 are Indian nationals. It is learnt that 12 crew members have been injured, including 11 Indian nationals,” the MEA statement read.“With the assistance of Omani authorities, the injured crew have since been evacuated and are receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman. We thank the Omani authorities for their valuable support,” the ministry said.“The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region remain a cause of deep concern for India. We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region. The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest,” it added.The MEA’s remarks came as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a commercial tanker travelling inbound through the Strait of Hormuz was forced to turn back after being hailed and threatened by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
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The incident occurred on Monday at around 08:27 UTC, about 11 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman. According to the UKMTO advisory, IRGC forces hailed the vessel and warned that it would be targeted if it did not comply with instructions to turn back. The vessel’s master confirmed that the crew complied and altered course.The incidents come amid heightened security risks across key maritime corridors, including the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Black Sea, where commercial shipping has faced repeated attacks.
