India and IMO Condemn Attack on Tanker Settebello as Three Indian Seafarers Remain Missing

## India and IMO Condemn Attack on Tanker Settebello Amid Missing Seafarers Crisis The Indian government and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have issued strong condemnations following an attack on the Palau-flagged tanker *Settebello* in the Gulf of Oman, with three Indian seafarers reported missing in the aftermath of the incident. According to Seatrade Maritime, US forces disabled the vessel during the operation, raising urgent questions about the safety and whereabouts of the missing crew members. The incident has drawn immediate diplomatic and institutional responses given the involvement of Indian nationals. India's condemnation underscores the country's deep concern for the welfare of its seafarers, who represent one of the largest national contingents in the global maritime workforce. New Delhi has called for accountability and a full accounting of all crew members aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. The IMO, the United Nations agency responsible for the safety and security of international shipping, has also voiced its condemnation, reaffirming the principle that seafarers must be protected regardless of the circumstances surrounding any maritime security operation. The organization has consistently maintained that the welfare of crew members must remain a paramount consideration in any enforcement action at sea. The Gulf of Oman has been a focal point of heightened maritime security tensions in recent years, with the waterway serving as a critical corridor for global energy shipments. Incidents involving tankers in the region have repeatedly tested the boundaries of international maritime law and the rules of engagement for naval forces operating in the area. The fate of the three missing Indian seafarers remains the immediate humanitarian priority. Maritime welfare organizations and the Indian government are understood to be pressing for urgent information on their status. The *Settebello* incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of operational protocols governing the use of force against commercial vessels, particularly regarding the protection of civilian crew members. Industry bodies are expected to call for transparent investigations and clear communication from all parties involved. Further details are expected to emerge as diplomatic and investigative processes unfold. Seatrade Maritime continues to follow developments in this story.