India has condemned a suspected US attack on a Palau-flagged tanker that left three Indian crew members missing in waters off the coast of Oman.
The Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US charge d'affaires and lodged a strong protest, saying the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end.
The tanker Settebello, which was sailing from China to the UAE, had 28 crew members, including 24 Indians, and was targeted by US forces for reportedly trying to evade an American blockade of Iranian ports.
Of the 24 Indian crew on board, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far, and the Indian embassy in Oman is monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
