India has strongly condemned a recent attack on a commercial merchant vessel carrying 21 Indian crew members off the coast of Oman, describing the incident as "deeply concerning." The attack, which occurred on December 23, 2023, approximately 200 nautical miles off the coast of Duqm, involved the Liberia-flagged chemical tanker MV Chem Pluto. All 21 Indian crew members aboard the vessel were reported safe following the incident.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement confirming that the government is closely monitoring the situation and is in active communication with relevant international partners. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi emphasized India's unwavering commitment to the safety of its seafarers and the freedom of navigation in international waters. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the nature and origin of the attack.

Key details surrounding the incident include:

  • Vessel: MV Chem Pluto, a Liberia-flagged chemical tanker.
  • Crew: All 21 crew members are Indian nationals, confirmed safe.
  • Date of Incident: December 23, 2023.
  • Location: Approximately 200 nautical miles southwest of Duqm, off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea.
  • Damage: The vessel sustained a fire following what initial assessments suggest was a suspected drone attack. The fire was quickly extinguished by the crew.
  • Operator: The vessel is managed by a Japanese firm and was en route from a Saudi Arabian port to Mangaluru, India, when the incident occurred.

The attack on MV Chem Pluto is part of an escalating pattern of incidents affecting commercial shipping in the broader Arabian Sea and Red Sea regions. These waters are crucial arteries for global trade, and the increased frequency of such attacks poses significant risks to international commerce and maritime safety. India, with its extensive coastline and substantial maritime trade, relies heavily on secure shipping lanes for its economic interests. The country is also a major supplier of seafarers globally, making the safety of its nationals on merchant vessels a priority.

India's Ministry of Defence and the Indian Navy have indicated that they are closely tracking the situation. Naval assets in the region are reportedly on alert and prepared to assist commercial shipping. India has previously called for a robust international framework to ensure maritime security and combat piracy and other threats to navigation. The government affirmed its readiness to provide all necessary support to the MV Chem Pluto and its crew, reiterating its collaboration with international maritime organizations to address the evolving security challenges in these critical waterways. International agencies and naval forces in the region are expected to intensify their investigations to identify the perpetrators and prevent future occurrences.