India has strongly condemned the recent attack on a Palau-flagged tanker MT Setebello off the coast of Oman, in which three Indian nationals lost their lives.
On Thursday the 11th of June 2026 while addressing Inter – Ministerial presser, Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry said that in this regard the government has lodged a strong worded protest by summoning the US Chargé d’Affaires.
Jaiswal pointed out that the continuing attacks on shipping in the Gulf region are deeply worrisome.
He called for an immediate cessation of such incidents and emphasized the need for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region.
Additional Secretary for the Gulf Division, Aseem R. Mahajan said, the government is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia.
He said efforts are focused on ensuring the safety and welfare of the Indian community, with embassies and consulates in the region operating round-the-clock helplines and maintaining close coordination with local authorities.
Mahajan highlighted that the vessel MT Marivex, carrying 24 Indian crew members, was targeted off the coast of Oman on 8th of this month.
He added that all crew members have been safely rescued and are expected to return to India soon.
Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mukesh Mangal expressed concern over recent incidents involving merchant vessels in the Persian Gulf region and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers.
Mangal said that his Ministry is in touch with the families of the deceased and all necessary assistance is being provided to bring the mortal remains back to India.
The Seamen Welfare Fund Society has been directed to provide an ex-gratia payment of 10 lakh rupees to the families of each deceased seafarer.
He further informed reporters that the bitumen tanker MT Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau flagged vessel, was involved in a maritime security incident near Shinas Port in Oman on Thursday.
he vessel had 20 Indian crew members on board, all of them are reported to be safe, and evacuation operations are currently underway.
Additional Secretary of Department of Fertilizers, Aparna S. Sharma, informed that the overall stock position of fertilizers in the country remains stable.
She said that the government has taken several steps, including joint ventures and active engagement through Indian missions abroad, to secure raw materials and finished fertilizers from various countries.
Highlighting consumption trends, Aparna Sharma informed that farmers have purchased around 11.38 lakh metric tonnes of organic manure and other fertilizers. She noted that this indicates a gradual shift in farmers’ preference towards organic nutrient sources.
She also informed that India has secured urea supplies from countries such as Oman, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, Egypt, and the Netherlands.
She said that the situation is being reviewed regularly at the highest level and assured that fertilizer security in the country remains strong.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Sujata Sharma said that the supply of crude oil, petrol, diesel, LPG, and natural gas in the country is stable and the domestic refineries are operating at peak capacity.
Ms Sujata added that over the past three days, 1.40 crore LPG cylinder bookings have been received, while 1.49 crore cylinders have been delivered.
During the same period, around 22 thousand three hundred forty tonnes of commercial LPG was sold.
She added that about 1.91 lakh 5-kilogram LPG cylinders were sold, including nearly ten thousand cylinders distributed through 566 camps.
On PNG expansion, she said that since March, 9.42 lakh PNG connections have been gasified, while infrastructure for 3.12 lakh additional connections has been created. Around 9.44 lakh new consumers have also been registered.
On enforcement actions, she said that in the past three days, 225 LPG cylinders have been seized, two FIRs registered, and one person arrested.
Oil marketing companies have issued show-cause notices to 19 distributors and imposed penalties in 19 cases.
She added that oil marketing companies have also issued 291 show-cause notices to dealers, imposed penalties in 14 cases, and suspended 461 dealers in the last three days.
She said that citizens must refrain from panic buying and adopt alternative sources of fuel.
