The Indian government condemned an attack on the Indian-flagged cargo vessel MSV Haji Ali that occurred off the coast of Oman in May 2024.
The incident highlights the precarious security environment for commercial shipping in one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. The attack, suspected to be a drone strike, resulted in the sinking of the vessel [1].
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs described the event as unacceptable. "The attack on the Indian-flagged vessel is unacceptable and we condemn it in the strongest terms," the ministry said [2].
Omani authorities reported that all 14 crew members [1] were rescued from the water and are safe [2]. The rescue operation took place in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran [1].
The owner of the MSV Haji Ali has called for a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the strike. The owner said the attack jeopardized the safety of the vessel and its crew. "We call for a thorough, transparent probe into the incident to ensure the safety of our ships and crew," the owner said [2].
While the shipowner and the Indian government have characterized the event as a hostile act, a definitive motive for the strike has not been confirmed. The vessel's sinking follows a pattern of increased volatility in the region, where unmanned aerial vehicles have been used to target commercial shipping.
Indian officials are continuing to coordinate with Omani authorities to determine the exact nature of the attack. The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet specified if it will seek further diplomatic or security measures in response to the loss of the ship.
“"The attack on the Indian-flagged vessel is unacceptable and we condemn it in the strongest terms."”
The sinking of the MSV Haji Ali underscores the rising risk to non-combatant commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. By condemning the attack as 'unacceptable,' India is signaling that it views the targeting of its flagged ships as a serious breach of maritime security, potentially increasing the pressure for international naval protections in the region.
