Indian Vessel Sinks Off Yemen After Projectile Strike; Crew Safe

Sonowal condemned the "unprovoked attack" and pledged steps to protect seafarers in the region. The attacker remains unclear. India's external affairs ministry called the targeting of commercial shipping deeply worrisome, urging an end to such strikes and restoration of free navigation under international law.

The incident adds to a series of attacks in the Red Sea, an alternative route some tankers adopted after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz in February. Yemen's Saudi-backed transportation ministry accused Iran-backed Houthi fighters of using an explosives-laden boat, though the group hasn't commented. The Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi Red Sea ports on 20 July, and UK maritime authorities reported multiple ship attacks over the past week. Despite tensions, oil prices hit a three-week low Tuesday amid US hopes for a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait.