New Delhi: India has lost 23 nationals, including 15 seafarers, in the ongoing conflict in West Asia, while five Indians have been killed and two are missing in attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday, November 3, taking the combined toll to 28 dead.
Briefing reporters in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the West Asia toll had risen from 22 at the previous briefing, after an Indian seafarer was killed when a ship was attacked off the coast of Oman on Monday. The vessel was the Indian-flagged MSV Al Jusufi, which had 14 Indian crew members on board. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal earlier confirmed the death and identified the seafarer as Gandhar Nahim Ajij from Gujarat.
Jaiswal thanked the Omani authorities for rescuing 13 Indian nationals from the vessel. He said the Indian Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities for the early repatriation of the rescued crew and the mortal remains of the deceased.
Responding to a question on Indian casualties in the Black Sea, Jaiswal said five Indian nationals had lost their lives and two continued to be missing.
The ministry said the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the region were deeply concerning. It called for the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure to end, and for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through international waterways, in keeping with international law, to be restored at the earliest. It also urged de-escalation of tensions and the conclusion of ongoing negotiations for a diplomatic solution.