India pushes BRICS peace, ship sunk

India used a BRICS ministerial meeting in New Delhi on May 14 to press for coordinated diplomacy on the West Asia crisis as it condemned an attack that sank an Indian-flagged cargo vessel in Omani waters the same day. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told foreign ministers that “stability cannot be selective, and peace cannot be piecemeal” as he urged safe maritime flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. India’s foreign ministry separately called the attack on the vessel “unacceptable” after the wooden cargo ship Haji Ali caught fire and sank while sailing from Somalia to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. All 14 crew members were rescued by the Omani coast guard and taken to Dibba port, according to Indian officials and Reuters. (theweek.in) The two developments unfolded as foreign ministers from BRICS countries, including Iran’s Abbas Araghchi, gathered in New Delhi for a two-day meeting under India’s chairship from May 14 to May 15. India’s message at the forum linked regional diplomacy, energy security and shipping safety at a time when the Strait of Hormuz remains under pressure from the wider conflict in West Asia. (usnews.com) ### What did Jaishankar say at the BRICS meeting? S. Jaishankar told ministers on May 14 that the conflict in West Asia required “particular attention” because of risks to maritime traffic and disruptions to energy infrastructure. He said “dialogue and diplomacy” were the only sustainable path to resolving conflicts and said India was ready to contribute to de-escalation efforts. (mea.gov.in) Jaishankar also said safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, remained vital for global economic well-being. He linked that appeal to the war in Gaza, calling for a sustained ceasefire, humanitarian access and a credible pathway to a durable resolution, while reiterating India’s support for a two-state solution. (theweek.in) ### What happened to the Indian-flagged vessel off Oman? The Haji Ali was sailing through Omani waters in the early hours of May 14 when a fire broke out after what Reuters, citing maritime risk and security sources, described as a suspected drone or missile strike. India’s shipping ministry said the vessel was traveling from Somalia to the United Arab Emirates when the attack caused a fire that eventually led to the sinking. (theweek.in) India’s foreign ministry said commercial shipping and civilian mariners “continue to be targeted” and said endangering civilian crew or impeding freedom of navigation and commerce should be avoided. India did not publicly assign blame for the strike in the statements reviewed. (usnews.com) ### Who was on board, and were they rescued? All 14 crew members aboard the Haji Ali were rescued by the Omani coast guard, Indian officials said. The crew was moved to Dibba port in Oman, and India thanked Omani authorities for the operation and said the mariners would be repatriated soon. (usnews.com) The vessel was described by Indian officials as an Indian dhow, or mechanised sailing vessel. Reuters reported that it was carrying livestock. ### Why did India mention other ships crossing Hormuz? Mukesh Mangal, an additional secretary at India’s ports, shipping and waterways ministry, said at an inter-ministerial briefing that two India-bound LPG vessels had crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the previous 48 hours. (usnews.com) Business Standard reported him as saying their safe passage underscored India’s close ties with Iran. (business-standard.com) One of those vessels, SYMI, was carrying 19,965 tonnes of LPG cargo for India and was expected to reach Kandla in Gujarat on Saturday, May 16. The second, NV SUNSHINE, was carrying 46,427 tonnes of LPG cargo for India and was expected to arrive at New Mangalore on Monday, May 18. (business-standard.com) ### What happens next in New Delhi? The BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting continues through May 15 under India’s chairship, according to the Indian foreign ministry’s schedule. Participants listed in contemporaneous reports include Iran’s Abbas Araghchi, Russia’s Sergey Lavrov, Brazil’s Mauro Vieira, Indonesia’s Sugiono and South Africa’s Ronald Lamola. India’s next immediate steps on the shipping incident are the repatriation of the 14 rescued crew members from Oman and any further diplomatic follow-up through its foreign ministry. (business-standard.com) The next public marker on the diplomatic side is the conclusion of the BRICS meeting in New Delhi on May 15. (mea.gov.in)