India says 22 nationals killed in West Asia conflict since February, 14 were seafarers

India has lost 22 nationals, including 14 seafarers, in the ongoing West Asia war over the past eight months, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Wednesday. He added that the government was 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 during an MEA press briefing. “On our part, we have been in close touch with the community there so that we can do our best for the safety and well-being,” he said. The US and Israel bombed Iran on February 28 and assassinated their Supreme Leader and other top officials. Tehran retaliated by targeting US bases across the Gulf and restricting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.Indian seafarers killed in maritime attacksSeveral Indian crew members have been killed, injured or reported missing in incidents involving merchant ships since the war began.

Many of the affected seafarers were working aboard foreign-flagged vessels, which can carry Indian crew members while operating under another country's flag, HT reported earlier.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. One Indian crew member was killed.Another attack that day targeted the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight 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 three 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.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 seafarersThe 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: MEAIndia will work to further strengthen its ties with Israel, Jaiswal said, amid uncertainty over the Israeli 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,” Jaiswal said during the press briefing.Jaiswal reiterated India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Israel. The election results are being closely watched for their potential implications for Israel's political leadership and its foreign relations. India and Israel maintain cooperation across several areas, including defence, trade, agriculture and technology.