00:00And we are getting you this latest statement by the MEA.
00:02Three vessels have been attacked in three days itself.
00:06And M.T. Jalveer that was attacked today,
00:09where MEA is now saying that this matter has been raised with U.S.
00:13Third maritime incident in 72 hours.
00:16All 20 Indian crew are safe after the vessel was attacked off Oman coast,
00:21is what is being confirmed by the MEA,
00:23saying that we had summoned the U.S. diplomat here to register a strong protest.
00:27The continuing incidents of attack on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome
00:31and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region.
00:34These attacks must cease.
00:36We also call for dialogue and diplomacy so that we can have an early return
00:41to peace and stability in the region.
00:45Commercial vessels that are facing the flak of the West Asia conflict.
00:50Let's listen in to the latest response that has come in.
00:57When this particular attack happened on the ship Setebelo,
01:03we lodged a strong protest with the American side.
01:08We called in the American CDA and he was conveyed our deepest concerns
01:15on the ongoing incidents of attacks.
01:17As also we registered a strong protest with them.
01:20These attacks came from the U.S. Navy that is stationed there.
01:29The three ships that have been involved in the incidents are foreign flagged.
01:33So one was foreign, sorry, two of them are Palau flagged
01:37and the third one which came under attack today is Guinea flagged.
01:41So that is, they are not Indian-owned ships.
01:45They are all foreign flagged ships.
01:46We have seen that there have been several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia
01:53in the last few days.
01:55We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafarers community.
02:03We need not re-emphasize this point.
02:07Yesterday we condemned the attack on a ship off the coast of Oman
02:11in which unfortunately we lost three Indian nationals.
02:15We had summoned the U.S. CDA here to register a strong protest.
02:22The continuing incidents of attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome
02:26and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region.
02:33These attacks must cease and end and we also call for dialogue and diplomacy
02:38so that we can have an early return to peace and stability in the region.
02:43Let me take this to my colleague Shivani Sharma now joining us on the broadcast.
02:47Shivani, the sad part is that no one is taking accountability for these attacks
02:52and Indians are on the receiving end, basing the brunt of it.
02:57But MEA making it very clear that we've lodged a protest with U.S. diplomat
03:02and this cannot go on like this.
03:05See, Suwesha, three very important points that have come out from this briefing.
03:09One, that India has lodged a very strong protest with the United States.
03:13All these attacks were from the U.S. Navy side
03:16and 18,000 Indian seafarers are still in this whole region
03:21in the west of Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
03:2313 Indian flag vessels and 562 of Indian seafarers on these Indian flag vessels.
03:31So the MEA and the authorities, Indian agencies, they need to assure safety for them.
03:36The good news and the fortunate news is that all the 20 seafarers on board
03:43the attacked vessel today, Jalvi, they are safe.
03:46The rescue operation is going on.
03:48And certainly this is a worrisome and unconcerning situation
03:51where these kind of attacks are continuously happening, Suwesha,
03:54on the flagged vessels.
03:56These are foreign flagged vessels, but Indians are on board.
04:00Oh, yes, absolutely, Shivani.
04:02And we'll continue to monitor the situation very closely for the moment.
04:06Many thanks for getting us those details.
04:11Yes, the situation is extremely worrisome
04:14because in the last three days itself,
04:16three vessels, three Indian vessels that have been attacked.
04:20Now, remember, this has happened off the coast of Oman.
04:22This, as Iran continues to attack U.S. establishments, U.S. bases
04:28in the UAE around the Gulf states.
04:31But commercial ships, commercial vehicles that are now facing the brunt of it.
04:36Let me also tell you about MTC Tubello,
04:39where 24 crew members were on board, 21 were rescued.
04:44But unfortunately, three who had been reported missing,
04:46those three seafarers unfortunately found dead.
04:49And this has led the MEA to lodge a strong protest with U.S. diplomat.
04:56Today, in fact, M.T. Jalveed,
04:58that also faced an attack off the coast of Oman.
05:04And there again, 20 crew members were on board,
05:07but thankfully all safe.
05:08Now, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal,
05:10who had confirmed the deaths of the three seafarers in MTC Tubello,
05:14calling the incident a profound loss for India's maritime community,
05:18he assured full support to the bereaved families
05:20and said that efforts are underway to bring the rescued crew members back home.
05:24The government is also coordinating the swift repatriation of the mortal remains.
05:28The deaths that are likely to intensify questions over the growing risks
05:33that commercial shipping especially faces in that conflict zone,
05:39Indian-linked vessels that are increasingly finding themselves
05:42in the crossfire of a widening maritime security crisis.
05:47Maritime security situation that continues to worsen.
05:50M.T. Jalveed that was attacked and we also got your pictures,
05:52in fact, that very picture of June 11 on your screens.
05:5620 crew members who were on board that ship,
05:59but thankfully all of them are safe is something that has been confirmed.
06:03Another Polo-flagged tanker,
06:05the, like I said, MTC Tubello,
06:07where unfortunately three Indian seafarers were left dead.
06:15Remains, my friend.
06:16Hold the name.
06:20Okay, okay.
06:22Sina's port control.
06:23This is a message from Jalveed that all crew are safe.
06:26They are in Foxal
06:28and they have a use fire in the Indian room.
06:31Okay.
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