Addressing an inter-ministerial media briefing in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the Government of India has formally summoned the United States Chargé d’Affaires in connection with the incident. He stated that continued attacks on commercial shipping in the region are deeply alarming and appear linked to the ongoing regional conflict. He called for an immediate halt to such incidents and stressed that dialogue and diplomacy remain essential to restoring peace and stability.
Additional Secretary for the Gulf Division, Aseem R. Mahajan, said the government is closely monitoring the evolving security situation in the Gulf and West Asia. He emphasized that the safety and welfare of Indian nationals abroad remain a priority, with Indian embassies and consulates operating round-the-clock emergency helplines and maintaining coordination with local authorities.
He further stated that the vessel MT Marivex, carrying 24 Indian crew members, was targeted on the 8th of the month off the coast of Oman. All crew members were safely rescued and are expected to return to India shortly.
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal, expressed serious concern over repeated incidents involving merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf region. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Indian seafarers and confirmed that authorities are in contact with the families of the deceased, with all necessary assistance being provided. The Seamen Welfare Fund Society has been directed to provide an ex-gratia compensation of 1,000,000 rupees to each deceased seafarer’s family.
He also informed that the bitumen tanker MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel carrying 20 Indian crew members, was involved in a maritime security incident near Shinas Port in Oman. All crew members have been reported safe, and evacuation operations are currently underway.
Additional Secretary of the Department of Fertilizers, Aparna S. Sharma, reported that the country’s fertilizer stock position remains stable. She said the government has undertaken multiple measures, including international partnerships and engagement through Indian missions abroad, to secure both raw materials and finished fertilizers.
She highlighted consumption trends showing that farmers have purchased approximately 1,138,000 metric tonnes of organic manure and related fertilizers, indicating a gradual shift toward organic nutrient sources. She further confirmed that India has secured urea supplies from Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, Egypt, and the Netherlands, with continuous monitoring of the situation at the highest levels to ensure national fertilizer security.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma, said the supply of crude oil, petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, and natural gas remains stable, with domestic refineries operating at peak capacity.
She noted that over the past three days, 14,000,000 LPG cylinder bookings were received, while 14,900,000 cylinders were delivered. During the same period, approximately 22,340 tonnes of commercial liquefied petroleum gas were sold, along with 191,000 units of five-kilogram cylinders, including distribution through 566 camps.
On pipeline infrastructure expansion, she stated that since March, 942,000 new piped natural gas connections have been operationalized, while infrastructure for 312,000 additional connections has been created. In addition, 944,000 new consumers have been registered.
On enforcement actions, she reported that in the last three days, 225 liquefied petroleum gas cylinders were seized, two first information reports were registered, and one individual was arrested. Oil marketing companies issued show-cause notices to 19 distributors and imposed penalties in 19 cases. Additionally, 291 show-cause notices were issued to dealers, penalties were imposed in 14 cases, and 461 dealers were suspended over the same period.
Authorities urged citizens to avoid panic buying and to use alternative fuel sources responsibly as supply systems remain stable and fully operational.
The developments collectively underscore escalating maritime security risks in the region alongside India’s simultaneous efforts to safeguard its citizens abroad while maintaining stability in critical domestic sectors including energy and fertilizers.
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