New Delhi. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strongly condemned the attack targeting an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman on Friday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going on a tour of five countries from today, which also includes UAE. Before PM Modi’s UAE visit, the United Arab Emirates has issued a statement regarding the attack. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on its official social media handle strongly condemning the attack and said the attack on an Indian-flagged ship near Oman’s territorial waters poses a major threat to the safety of international navigation. The ministry described the incident as a dangerous escalation aimed directly at undermining the stability of vital waterways.
In the statement, the UAE expressed its full solidarity with India and expressed firm support for all steps taken to protect Indian ships and maritime interests.
The UAE said the attack was a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which supports freedom of navigation and clearly forbids targeting commercial vessels or causing any obstruction to international sea lanes.
Without mentioning any specific names, the Foreign Ministry said using the Strait of Hormuz as a means of economic pressure or blackmail is unauthorized use and a direct threat to the stability of the region, its people, and global energy security.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not yet disclosed the identity of the ship or any casualties.
The official spokesperson’s statement said the attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman is unacceptable and India expresses its regret that commercial shipping and civilian seafarers continue to be targeted.
“All Indian crew on board the ship are safe and we thank the Omani authorities for their rescue,” the ministry said.
The MEA further said that India reiterates that it must refrain from targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent crew members or otherwise obstructing freedom of navigation and commerce.
However, official sources have confirmed that New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation. This condemnation came hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi today on a pre-planned visit.
Diplomats say that this attack could be a part of the talks during PM Modi’s visit and the two sides are expected to discuss increasing maritime security cooperation in the Gulf and Arabian Sea.
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