'Unacceptable': MEA Issues Stern Rebuke After Attack Sinks Indian Cargo Vessel Off Oman; Here's What Happened

Last Updated:May 14, 2026, 16:14 IST

Preliminary reports suggest the ship was hit by a projectile that triggered a massive explosion and a subsequent fire

In a stern diplomatic rebuke issued on Thursday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned a strike on the Indian-flagged cargo vessel MSV Haji Ali. The ship, which was carrying livestock from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah, was struck by a suspected drone or missile in Omani waters on Wednesday, leading to its sinking.

The MEA has termed the incident “unacceptable", marking a sharp escalation in New Delhi’s rhetoric regarding the safety of commercial shipping lanes in the Gulf region.

Midnight Strike and Emergency Rescue

The vessel, owned by Sultan Ahmed Ansar, a resident of Dwarka in Gujarat, reportedly became stranded off the coast of Oman near Limah at approximately 3.30 am local time on May 13. Preliminary reports suggest the ship was hit by a projectile that triggered a massive explosion and a subsequent fire.

Despite the rapid spread of the blaze, the Oman Coast Guard launched a swift emergency response. All 14 Indian crew members on board were successfully evacuated using lifeboats before the vessel slipped beneath the waves. The MEA confirmed that all mariners are safe and expressed gratitude to the Omani authorities for their prompt intervention.

Strategic Context: A Region on the Edge

This maritime assault comes at a time of extreme regional volatility. Following the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran in February 2026 and the subsequent death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman have become high-risk zones. Tehran’s blockade of the Strait and the ongoing Iran-US war have turned civilian merchant vessels into collateral damage.

Speaking in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted."

The BRICS Dimension and Freedom of Navigation

The timing of the attack is particularly sensitive, as foreign ministers from the BRICS bloc—including Iran—are currently gathered in New Delhi. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has consistently pushed for “unimpeded maritime commerce", emphasising that the targeting of innocent civilian crews and the obstruction of freedom of navigation must be avoided at all costs.

For India, the loss of MSV Haji Ali is not merely a commercial blow but also a strategic alarm. As one of the world’s largest providers of seafarers, India is increasingly concerned that the “lawlessness" of the West Asian waters is beginning to threaten the very foundations of global trade.

News world 'Unacceptable': MEA Issues Stern Rebuke After Attack Sinks Indian Cargo Vessel Off Oman; Here's What Happened

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