India's Ambassador to Oman, Prashant Pise, on Monday, 15 June 2026, met all 20 Indian crew members of the vessel MT Jalveer in Muscat ahead of their repatriation to India. The crew had been safely evacuated following an attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship off Shinas port in Oman on 11 June 2026, with the Indian Embassy coordinating closely with Omani authorities throughout the rescue operation.

What the Indian Embassy Said

In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Indian Embassy in Oman confirmed that Ambassador Pise interacted with the crew and wished them a safe journey home. The Embassy stated it “remains committed to extending prompt assistance and support to Indian nationals in distress and ensuring their welfare and safe return home.” The evacuation was carried out in coordination with the Royal Navy of Oman, which facilitated the crew’s transfer to Shinas Port.

The Attack on MT Jalveer

The MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial vessel, came under attack off Shinas port, Oman, on 11 June 2026. At an Inter-Ministerial briefing on the same day, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed that all 20 Indian seafarers on board were safe. He noted India’s deep concern over “repeated disruptions to commercial shipping” and reaffirmed the importance of “secure and uninterrupted navigation through international waters in line with international law.”

India’s Broader Concern Over West Asia Shipping Attacks

The incident is part of a pattern of escalating attacks on commercial vessels in the region. At the same Inter-Ministerial briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi places “the highest priority on the safety of Indian seafarers” and linked the attacks to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. Jaiswal also confirmed that India had condemned a separate attack off the coast of Oman in which three Indian nationals lost their lives, and that the US Chargé d’Affaires had been summoned to register a strong protest. “These attacks must cease, and we also call for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure an early return to peace and stability in the region,” Jaiswal said.

Diplomatic Significance

This is among several incidents involving Indian seafarers in West Asia in recent days, prompting coordinated diplomatic responses across multiple ministries. The swift evacuation of the MT Jalveer crew underscores the operational role of Indian missions abroad in crisis situations. Notably, the incident comes at a time when India has been vocal about protecting its maritime community amid a broader deterioration of shipping security in the region. All 20 crew members are now set to return home following the ambassador’s visit on 15 June 2026.