NEW DELHI: India has firmly opposed the attacks on merchant vessels and called for restraint, stressing the need to protect civilian lives, as several Indian nationals had either lost their lives or gone missing in attacks linked to the Middle East conflict.Speaking at the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish Parvathaneni, “We expressed our deep concern at the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region that unfortunately began in the holy month of Ramadan and urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians.””Many Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing as a result of attacks against countries of the region and against merchant vessels and sea lanes of communication,” he added.The remarks came hours after India lodged a strong protest with the US Embassy in New Delhi over an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello off the coast of Oman. The vessel had 24 Indian crew members on board.While 21 have been rescued, two Indian nationals have been confirmed dead and one remains missing. The three were initially reported missing following the attack. Parvathaneni noted that nearly 10 million Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf region, making their safety a top priority for New Delhi. “Our trade and energy supply chains are dependent on stability in the region and any major disruption has serious consequences for the Indian economy,” he said.”The intensification of the Iran conflict and its spread to other nations have evoked great anxiety.” He noted that the ongoing violence has had a direct impact on India because of its geographical proximity and strategic interests in the region.”The mounting destruction and deaths and cessation of normal life and economic activities have deeply impacted India, a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region,” he added.India also strongly reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy, avoiding impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, avoiding military targeting of commercial shipping, avoiding targeting of the civilian population and infrastructure, and seeking an early end to the conflict.The diplomatic intervention came after a US strike on the chemical and oil products tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. Also read: US attack on ship near Hormuz: Two Indian sailors dead, chief engineer still missing after incident”We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far and 03 Indians are reportedly missing. Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing Search and Rescue operation,” the ministry of external affairs said in a statement after three were initially reported missing following the attack.The Indian Embassy in Muscat is coordinating with Omani authorities as search and rescue efforts continue. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the tanker reported an engine-room fire around 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman’s Sohar port.Parvathaneni’s remarks at the UN came shortly after India summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a formal protest.The attack on Settebello came just two days after another Palau-flagged vessel carrying 24 Indian crew members was disabled by US forces while attempting to breach the American blockade on Iranian ports. All crew members from that vessel were later rescued with assistance from Omani authorities.Unlike the earlier vessel, Settebello was not listed under sanctions imposed by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a point reportedly highlighted by Indian officials during discussions with the American side.This comes as the US imposed a maritime blockade on April 13 in response to Iranian restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had targeted vessels that failed to comply with instructions issued by American forces.This comes as the US imposed a maritime blockade on April 13 in response to Iranian restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces had targeted vessels that failed to comply with instructions issued by American forces.Also read: ‘Hole at bottom, vessel sinking’: Indian crew sends SOS seeking ‘immediate help’ after US missile hit ship
