India Express Concern Over Its Fishermen Killed By A US Navy Ship

New Delhi, July 18, IRNA – India is deeply saddened and expressed concern over its fisherman killed in firing incident involving US Naval Vessel off the coast of UAE. An Indian fisherman was killed and three others were wounded yesterday when a security team onboard a US Navy ship fired at their small boat off Dubai. The fishing boat had four Indians and two Emirate nationals on board when the incident took place in Jabel Ali, a frequent docking point for American naval vessels about 30 miles southwest of Dubai. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life of the Indian fisherman and the injuries sustained by the others. Our thoughts are with their families,” said Syed Akbaruddin, Spokesperson Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi. He said: “The U.S. Government has officially confirmed that a U.S. Navy vessel fired shots at a fishing vessel near the port of Jebel Ali, Dubai at about 3.00 PM UAE local time on 16 July 2012. According to UAE officials, one Indian fisherman was killed in the firing incident and three other Indians were injured”. Our Embassy in Washington D.C. has been in touch with the United States Government since midnight IST yesterday. Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi is working with local authorities to carry out full investigation into the circumstances leading to this unfortunate and tragic incident. The Acting Consul General is in Jebel Ali to provide all necessary assistance, he said. Meanwhile, the U.S. Ambassador to India Nancy Powell telephoned Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai this morning to convey her regret for the loss of life and assured that the U.S. Government would conduct full investigation. We will stay in regular touch with U.S and UAE authorities to ascertain full facts and take appropriate further action in the matter”. India has sought a report from its Ambassador in the UAE on the killing of an Indian fisherman in a US Navy ship firing at a docking point in Dubai even as the US today said the incident is under investigation. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has sought a report on the incident from Indian Ambassador to Dubai M K Lokesh apart from asking the government there to investigate the case, pti reported quoting official sources as said here. The Indian Embassy in Washington also got in touch with the Pentagon and the State Department soon after the incident to seek details./end