NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday condemned the attack on commercial vessel MV Cape Dao off the eastern coast of Oman, in which one Indian sailor was killed and 19 others were rescued.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it was “deeply concerned” over the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region and called for an immediate end to attacks targeting commercial vessels, sailors and civilian infrastructure.
Of the 20 Indian sailors aboard the vessel, 19 were safely rescued, while one Indian national died in the incident. The MEA conveyed its deepest condolences to the bereaved family.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Omani authorities to ensure the safety of the crew and facilitate the early return of the rescued Indian sailors to India. The embassy is also in touch with the family of the deceased sailor and coordinating with the concerned RPSL company.
India called for immediate steps to de-escalate tensions in the region and urged all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomatic efforts to restore peace.
“Attacks on commercial shipping in the region are a matter of serious concern,” the MEA said, reiterating that commercial vessels, sailors and civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.
New Delhi also called for the earliest restoration of free and unhindered navigation and commercial movement through international waterways in the region.
India thanked the Omani authorities for their assistance and said its embassy in Muscat would continue to closely coordinate with local authorities on the safety and repatriation of the Indian sailors.
Our statement on the attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/gXzupV0MKT pic.twitter.com/GcrLw0FFmy
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 23, 2026
