India Lodges Strong Protest After Three Indian Sailors Killed in Gulf of Oman
New Delhi (Economy India): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday raised with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio the killing of three Indian mariners in American military strikes on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman, describing such actions against civilian shipping as unjustified.
The conversation comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Washington following a series of US military actions targeting merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members in the strategically important Gulf region.
Following his telephone conversation with Rubio, Jaishankar said India had conveyed its strong protest over the attacks.
“Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar said in a statement posted on social media.
India Summons Senior US Diplomat
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has intensified its response by summoning US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time within a week.
According to official sources, India conveyed its strong objection to the continued attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members and reiterated its concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping.
The MEA described the attacks as unacceptable and lodged a formal protest with the US administration.
Three Indian Mariners Killed
The diplomatic row follows a series of incidents involving merchant vessels carrying Indian sailors.
A Palau-flagged tanker, Marivex, carrying 24 Indian crew members, was disabled by US forces on June 8, though all sailors were rescued safely. Subsequently, another Palau-flagged vessel, Settebello, was struck by US forces on June 10, resulting in the deaths of three Indian sailors. A third vessel, Jalveer, carrying 20 Indian crew members, also came under attack later in the week.
These incidents marked India’s first public acknowledgement that three merchant ships carrying Indian crew members were targeted during US military operations in the region.
Maritime Security Concerns Rise
The attacks have raised serious concerns regarding the safety of commercial shipping lanes in the Gulf of Oman and the broader Strait of Hormuz region, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.
Analysts note that the incidents could have implications for international maritime security, global energy supply chains and regional stability, while also testing diplomatic relations between India and the United States.
India Calls for Protection of Civilian Shipping
India has consistently maintained that commercial shipping and civilian maritime personnel must be protected during military operations.
The government has emphasized the need for restraint and adherence to international maritime norms while ensuring the safety of Indian nationals working aboard merchant vessels across global waters.
With three Indian lives lost and multiple vessels affected, New Delhi’s strong diplomatic response underscores the seriousness with which it views the attacks and its commitment to safeguarding Indian seafarers operating in international waters.
(Economy India)
