India has issued a sharp diplomatic rebuke of the Iranian drone attack that hit the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ) in the United Arab Emirates, labelling the strike as “unacceptable” after three Indian nationals were injured in the blast. The incident, which triggered a major fire at one of the UAE’s key energy hubs, has prompted New Delhi to demand an immediate end to hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure in the Gulf region.
The Fujairah Media Office said the first drone struck the oil industry complex on Monday, setting off a fire that forced emergency teams to rush in and contain the blaze. At least three Indian workers, described as “moderate” injuries, were taken to hospital, where they are now under treatment. The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi confirmed that it is in close contact with UAE authorities to ensure the injured receive full medical care and welfare support.
The attack in Fujairah, part of a broader wave of drone and missile strikes linked to the sharpening conflict between Iran and the United States, is the first major breach of calm in the UAE since a fragile ceasefire brokered in early April. The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said four Iranian missiles were launched toward different parts of the country, with three intercepted by air‑defence systems and the fourth falling into the sea, underscoring the risks to civilian installations and regional shipping lanes.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs called on all parties to return to dialogue and diplomacy, stressing that strikes on critical infrastructure posed a direct threat not only to local populations but also to global energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry also reiterated India’s strong interest in the security of the 3.5 million‑plus Indian diaspora in the Gulf, whose presence in industrial and energy‑related sectors makes them vulnerable during such escalations.
The Fujairah strike now stands as a stark reminder of the spillover dangers of the expanding West Asia conflict, with India’s public condemnation signalling a growing unease in New Delhi over the militarisation of the Gulf and the safety of its citizens abroad.
