India Condemns Red Sea Attack on MSV Faize Noore Oliya

India has condemned the Red Sea attack that sank the Indian-flagged vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya near Yemen. All 13 Indian crew members and one foreign national were rescued by the Yemen Coast Guard as New Delhi called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping.

MSV Faize Noore Oliya sinks after projectile strike

India has strongly condemned an attack on the Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya after it was struck by a projectile near Yemeni waters in the Red Sea. The impact caused the vessel to capsize and sink, prompting an emergency rescue operation by the Yemen Coast Guard.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the incident as an unprovoked attack on a defenceless commercial vessel. He confirmed that all 14 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued safely and brought to the Port of Mokha.

Sonowal said the safety of Indian seafarers remains the government's highest priority and directed the Directorate General of Maritime Administration to coordinate with relevant agencies to provide immediate assistance to the rescued crew and strengthen safety measures for Indian vessels operating in the region. The statement was issued through the minister's official social media account and later confirmed by government agencies.

Yemen Coast Guard rescues all crew

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that all 13 Indian nationals aboard the vessel had been rescued safely. It said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh was closely coordinating with Yemeni authorities to ensure the wellbeing of the crew and thanked local officials for their prompt rescue efforts.

The ministry also expressed concern over the growing number of attacks targeting commercial shipping in regional waters. It stressed that free and uninterrupted navigation through international waterways must be restored in accordance with international law and urged an end to attacks on civilian merchant vessels.

Neither the Shipping Ministry nor the Ministry of External Affairs identified the group responsible for the projectile strike. Although the Red Sea has witnessed repeated attacks on merchant shipping in recent years, Indian authorities have not attributed this incident to any specific organisation or country.

Red Sea security remains under pressure

The attack highlights the continuing security risks facing commercial shipping in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors. The Red Sea connects the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal, making it a critical route for global trade.

Shipping companies rely on this corridor to transport oil, manufactured goods and consumer products between Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Any disruption forces vessels to sail around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing fuel costs, insurance premiums and delivery times.

Maritime security experts have repeatedly warned that attacks on commercial vessels threaten global supply chains and place civilian crews at unnecessary risk. Governments across the region have continued to call for greater international cooperation to protect merchant shipping.

India strengthens maritime safety measures

Following the incident, Indian authorities initiated additional coordination between maritime agencies to review security arrangements for Indian-flagged vessels operating near conflict-prone waters. Officials are also monitoring the condition of the rescued crew and maintaining contact with Yemeni authorities through diplomatic channels.

The government has reiterated that commercial vessels should never become targets during regional conflicts. It called for safe passage for all merchant ships and urged all parties to respect international maritime law governing freedom of navigation.

The sinking of MSV Faize Noore Oliya serves as another reminder of the fragile security environment in the Red Sea. While the successful rescue prevented any loss of life, the attack underscores the growing challenges facing global shipping as geopolitical tensions continue to affect key maritime trade routes.