India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed strong disapproval to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the US Navy’s attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, resulting in the deaths of three Indian seafarers. Jaishankar emphasized that such actions against commercial shipping are unwarranted. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US’ Charge d’Affaires, Jason Meeks, to lodge a formal protest regarding the attacks on vessels with Indian sailors.
A statement from the Ministry conveyed deep concerns over the use of lethal force on civilian shipping, labeling such actions as unacceptable and detrimental to international maritime commerce’s safety and stability. The US Charge d’Affaires was urged to relay India’s strong objections to his authorities and ensure preventive measures are taken by US forces in the region to avoid civilian casualties. The diplomatic intervention followed the confirmation of the deaths of three crew members initially reported missing after the US military strike on the oil tanker.
The Palau-flagged oil tanker, Settebello, carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indians, was targeted in the attack. While 21 Indian sailors were rescued, efforts to locate the missing crew members ended tragically. The US Central Command acknowledged the strike, stating it was carried out after the tanker allegedly defied US naval instructions and attempted to transport oil from Iran in violation of an American blockade. The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions in the region due to conflicting maritime restrictions during the ongoing West Asia conflict.
India strongly condemned the attack, highlighting the vessel’s significant Indian crew and its commercial operations. The Ministry of External Affairs underscored the concerning nature of attacks on merchant shipping in the region, linking them to the broader Middle East conflict. Stressing the need for immediate de-escalation, India reiterated its call for peace in the region.
