Indian Seafarers Union Urges PM Modi To Deploy Navy Warships After Red Sea Attack On Indian Ship

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) urged the Modi Government in a letter to deploy Navy warships in the Red Sea to safeguard Indian commercial vessels and Indian seafarers in the region.

The request came a day following the attack on the ship MSV Faize Noore Oliya, which sank in the Red Sea, though the 13 Indian crew members were rescued by the Yemen Coast Guard and the Yemeni Navy.

“Ongoing hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States, together with the continuing Russia-Ukraine war, have turned commercial shipping routes into active danger zones. Missiles and drones continue to target merchant vessels, resulting in the loss of precious Indian lives.

Recent attacks in the Black Sea that have caused casualties among Indian seafarers, along with reports of missing crew and desperate appeals for safety, underline the alarming situation our seafarers confront daily,” the letter read.

The Union mentioned that missile and drone attacks targeting ships threaten Indian Seafarers, highlighting previous incidents where Indian crew died, and others went missing.

Stating the ongoing conflicts “show no immediate signs of resolution,” the union called for immediate government intervention in line with existing advisories.

“We respectfully urge the Government of India to deploy maximum Indian Navy assets and protection measures for Indian flagged vessels and vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Black Sea and the Red Sea, with particular focus on the Bab el Mandeb Strait, until a lasting settlement is achieved among the parties concerned,” the FSUI stated.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also condemned the attack on the Indian flagged commercial vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya.

It also said that the Indian Embassy in Riyadh is monitoring the situation and coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the safety and security of the crew.

“We thank the Yemeni authorities for their support,” the MEA said.