Story perspectives

India Condemns Oman Attack on MT El Gaia, Seeks De-escalation

By Drooid · Sep 14, 2026, 4:04 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Panama-flagged oil tanker MT El Gaia was attacked off Oman, leaving one Indian seafarer missing.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and coordinated the search with Omani authorities.
The ministry thanked Omani authorities for rescuing the 13 Indian crew members.
India called for immediate de-escalation, dialogue, and restoration of free navigation in regional waterways.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network” at the BRICS summit.

History

Historical Context

The 12 October 2000 suicide bombing of USS Cole in Aden, claimed by al-Qaeda and killing 17 sailors, revealed serious force-protection gaps. The U.S. Navy responded by opening an Anti-Terrorism and Force Protection Warfare Center in November 2001 and creating the Maritime Force Protection Command in 2004. The 2024 attack on the Panama-flagged tanker MT El Gaia off Oman has revived Modi’s BRICS call for a Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network.

1 of 2

Story summary

Panama-flagged oil tanker MT El Gaia was attacked off Oman, leaving one Indian seafarer missing.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and coordinated the search with Omani authorities.
The ministry thanked Omani authorities for rescuing the 13 Indian crew members.
India called for immediate de-escalation, dialogue, and restoration of free navigation in regional waterways.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a “Seafarers’ Emergency Support Network” at the BRICS summit.

1 / 2