New Delhi, 13 June (H.S.):

The Government of India has categorically dismissed reports claiming that the vessel Liyaki Freedom was attacked off the coast of Oman and that Indian sailors aboard the ship were killed. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that all crew members on board the vessel are safe.

In an official statement, the ministry rejected media reports that alleged Indian seafarers had lost their lives in an American attack on the vessel. The MEA stated that the information being circulated was incorrect.

The ministry said it had been in direct contact with the master of the Liyaki Freedom, who confirmed that all crew members were safe and that reports suggesting casualties or an attack on the vessel were false.

Earlier, amid concerns over attacks on Indian-linked commercial vessels in the Gulf region, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the early hours of Saturday.

During the conversation, Jaishankar conveyed India’s strong protest over the deaths of three Indian sailors in attacks carried out by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf region.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Spoke this evening with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Registered India’s strong protest over the deaths of three Indian sailors in attacks by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf. Such lethal action against commercial vessels is not acceptable.”

The clarification by the Ministry of External Affairs comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf and growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping routes and international seafarers operating in the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar