India has strongly condemned the missile attack on an Indian cargo vessel in the Red Sea, calling for an immediate halt to attacks targeting commercial shipping in international waters. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the incident as deeply concerning and stressed the need to ensure the safety of global maritime trade.
The cargo vessel, identified as MSV Faize Noor-e-Olia, was reportedly struck by a missile while sailing off the coast of Yemen. The attack severely damaged the ship, causing it to begin sinking. The vessel carried 14 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals. Following the incident, Yemen's coast guard launched a rescue operation and successfully evacuated all crew members without any reported loss of life.
In an official statement, the MEA emphasized that commercial vessels should never be targeted and urged all parties to respect international law. India reiterated that freedom of navigation through international sea routes must be preserved to keep global trade flowing without disruption.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions across West Asia, where maritime security has deteriorated due to ongoing regional conflicts. Since the escalation of tensions involving Iran and the United States, strategic waterways such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz have witnessed repeated attacks on merchant vessels. Indian ships and Indian seafarers serving aboard foreign vessels have also been caught in previous incidents.
While no group has officially claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack, the Red Sea has frequently witnessed missile and drone strikes linked to Yemen's Houthi movement, particularly targeting vessels connected to regional rivals. Investigations into the latest incident are continuing as international concern over maritime security continues to grow.
