India summons US diplomat over tanker strike off Oman; 3 Indians still missing

India on Wednesday summoned the United States' Charg d’Affaires in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over an attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman that had 24 Indian crew members onboard.

Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary (Americas) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), summoned Jason Meeks, Charg d’Affaires of the United States, following the strike on the tanker Settebello.

The move came as India strongly condemned the attack and expressed concern over the



safety of Indian nationals caught in the latest escalation in the Middle East. In an official statement, the MEA said: "We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today."

"Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and 03 Indians are reportedly missing. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation," the ministry added.