- India lost 22 nationals, 14 seafarers, in West Asia conflict.
- Seafarers died from multiple attacks on merchant vessels.
- India ensures safety, rescues citizens, advises caution for seafarers.
India has lost 22 of its nationals, including 14 seafarers, in the ongoing conflict in West Asia over the past eight months, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Wednesday.
Speaking at an MEA press briefing, Jaiswal said the government remained in close contact with the Indian community in the region to ensure their safety and well-being.
“We are deeply concerned with the ongoing conflict in West Asia. So far, we have lost 22 Indian nationals in the conflict, which includes 14 seafarers,” Jaiswal said.
He added that the government was maintaining contact with Indians in the region and doing its best to safeguard their welfare.
Delhi: MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “On the question of total number of people who we have unfortunately lost in the war in West Asia, we as I have told you before that we are deeply concerned with the ongoing conflict in West Asia. So far we have lost 22 Indian nationals in the conflict which includes 14 seafarers and on our part we remain in close touch with the community there so that we can do our best for their safety and well-being…”
— IANS (@ians_india) October 28, 2026
Indian Seafarers Killed In Attacks On Merchant Ships
Several Indian crew members have been killed, injured or reported missing in incidents involving merchant vessels since the conflict began. Many of the affected seafarers were working aboard foreign-flagged ships carrying Indian crew members.
The first reported Indian casualty came on March 1, when the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MKD Vyom was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, killing one Indian crew member.
On the same day, the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight was attacked near Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. Two Indian sailors were reportedly killed in the incident.
On May 8, an Indian sailor died after a wooden dhow carrying Indian crew members caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.
On June 9, three Indian seafarers were killed after the US struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman. The crew members were later identified as Aditya Sharma, a cadet; Shivanand Chaurashiya, a fitter; and Patnala Suresh, a chief engineer.
In July, an Indian sailor was killed after Iranian missiles struck two Emirati oil tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, while they were transiting the Strait of Hormuz in Omani waters. The attack also injured eight crew members, including six Indians, according to reports at the time.
India subsequently summoned Iran’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Mohammad Javad Hosseini, to convey its concerns over the attack and the death of the Indian seafarer.
Indian Crew Members Rescued, Some Remain Missing
Separately, the MEA said 10 Indian nationals were rescued after the Cyprus-flagged merchant vessel GFS Galaxy came under attack off the coast of Oman on July 12. One Indian sailor remained missing at the time of the statement.
In September, the MEA said 13 of the 14 Indian nationals aboard the Panama-flagged vessel MT El Gaia had been rescued after an attack off the coast of Oman. One Indian seafarer remained missing, with search operations continuing at the time.
India called for the protection of commercial shipping and the restoration of safe navigation through international waterways.
India Steps Up Efforts To Protect Seafarers
The government has been coordinating with shipping companies, vessel operators and diplomatic missions to monitor the situation and assist affected crew members.
The Directorate General of Shipping issued a safety advisory on February 28, urging Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers to exercise caution following the escalation of hostilities around Iran, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.
The government has also maintained round-the-clock control rooms to coordinate assistance and communicate with seafarers and their families.
India To Further Strengthen Ties With Israel
Jaiswal also said India would work to further strengthen its relations with Israel, amid uncertainty over the country’s election results.
“India has good and strong relations with Israel, and we will work to further improve and strengthen these ties in the coming days. As for the election results, let us wait and see what conclusions emerge,” he said during the press briefing.
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