The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday, 15 May issued a strong condemnation of what it termed a 'terrorist attack' on an Indian-flagged vessel off the coast of Oman, hours before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to land in Abu Dhabi for a pre-planned bilateral visit. All Indian crew members on board are safe, according to India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

What the UAE Said

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), in a sharply worded statement released on its official social media channels, described the assault as a 'dangerous escalation' deliberately targeting the security of international navigation. The Emirates expressed full solidarity with India and pledged unwavering support for measures aimed at protecting Indian vessels and maritime interests.

MoFA further stated that the attack constituted a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817, which upholds freedom of navigation and explicitly prohibits the targeting of commercial ships or obstruction of international maritime routes. Without naming any specific actor, the ministry warned that using the Strait of Hormuz as an instrument of 'economic coercion or blackmail' amounted to acts of piracy and a direct threat to regional stability and global energy security.

India's Response

The Indian MEA said in its own statement that the attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the Omani coast was 'unacceptable' and that India deplores the continued targeting of commercial shipping and civilian mariners. 'All Indian crew on board are safe, and we thank the Omani authorities for rescuing them,' the ministry said. India reiterated that targeting commercial shipping, endangering innocent civilian crew members, or impeding freedom of navigation and commerce must be avoided. The MEA has not yet publicly identified the vessel or disclosed casualty details, though official sources confirmed New Delhi is closely monitoring the situation.

Modi's Abu Dhabi Visit and Maritime Security

The timing of the attack — coinciding with Prime Minister Modi's arrival in the UAE — has added significant diplomatic weight to what was already a high-stakes bilateral visit. Diplomats say the incident is almost certain to dominate the agenda, with both sides expected to discuss enhanced maritime security cooperation across the Gulf and the Arabian Sea. This comes amid a broader pattern of threats to commercial shipping in the region, underscoring the strategic importance of India-UAE maritime coordination.

Broader Context

The Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman have witnessed a series of incidents targeting commercial vessels in recent months, raising alarm among regional powers and global energy importers alike. India, as one of the world's largest oil importers and a major maritime trading nation, has a direct strategic interest in the security of these waterways. Notably, this is not the first time Indian-flagged or Indian-crewed vessels have come under threat in the region, making the MEA's strong language and the UAE's swift solidarity particularly significant.