India has again called for free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz after a series of strikes on merchant vessels in the region, with the Ministry of External Affairs repeating its position on Tuesday.
Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was talking to all parties involved so that civilian ships and crews are spared. He said the effort covers Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers.
An Indian seafarer died on November 2 after a merchant vessel was struck off Limah in Oman, an attack that India condemned in strong terms.
The ministry earlier put the toll of Indians in the West Asia conflict at 22 including 14 seafarers. The war began in February after US and Israeli strikes on Iran and has disrupted traffic through Hormuz, while India has kept pressing for a settlement through dialogue and diplomacy.
The IMO has confirmed no fewer than 130 incidents involving merchant ships across the Middle East
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