Key facts
- India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, met with 20 rescued crew members of the MT Jalveer in Muscat.
- The crew of MT Jalveer were safely evacuated following an incident on June 11, 2026.
- India has lodged strong diplomatic protests with the US over recent maritime incidents off the Omani coast.
- Three Indian seafarers have died in recent attacks on commercial vessels.
- The MT Settebello and MT Marivex were also struck in separate incidents involving Indian crew members.
- All 14 crew members of the Indian-flagged MSV Virat have been rescued and are safe.
India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, met with the 20 rescued crew members of the MT Jalveer in Muscat, wishing them a safe journey home ahead of their repatriation. The Embassy of India in Muscat confirmed the crew's safe evacuation following an incident on June 11, 2026, and reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Indian nationals in distress.
This interaction occurs amidst a significant diplomatic escalation by India, which has summoned the United States Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks twice in 48 hours to protest recent maritime incidents off the Omani coast. These incidents have resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers. The Ministry of External Affairs has expressed deep concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping, deeming such actions unacceptable and detrimental to international maritime commerce.
India's protests stem from a series of strikes targeting commercial vessels, including the MT Settebello, which carried 24 Indian crew members and was struck off Oman, leading to three fatalities. Another vessel, the MT Marivex, manned by 24 Indian nationals, was reportedly struck by US forces. The MT Jalveer also came under attack near Shinas port. These events highlight the dangers faced by Indian seafarers due to geopolitical friction between the United States and Iran.
In a separate development, all 14 Indian crew members aboard the Indian-flagged MSV Virat were safely rescued after the dhow sank approximately 80 nautical miles off Ras Al Hadd, Oman. The Directorate General of Shipping confirmed their safety, noting the successful evacuation was a result of coordination among Omani authorities, the Indian Embassy, and maritime agencies. The rescued crew are currently en route to Mumbai.