India lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the United States after a US Navy strike on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman killed three Indian seafarers, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, adding that such lethal actions against commercial shipping are “not justified.” Jaishankar told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday evening that India was deeply concerned and urged steps to prevent further loss of civilian life, he said in a post on X.
Earlier on Friday, India summoned the US Charge d’Affaires, Jason Meeks, to the Ministry of External Affairs to register a formal protest. The MEA said the protest covered continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian sailors, which have already resulted in the “tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives.”
The diplomatic move followed confirmation by Indian authorities that three crew members initially reported missing after the strike have been found dead. The Palau‑flagged oil tanker Settebello had 28 crew on board at the time: 24 Indian nationals and four foreign nationals — two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian and one Russian. Twenty‑one Indian sailors were rescued; the remaining three were later confirmed dead.
The US military has acknowledged carrying out the strike. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces targeted the tanker after it allegedly failed to comply with instructions from US naval personnel and was attempting to transport oil from Iran in violation of an American blockade. CENTCOM stated that one of its aircraft fired on the vessel in the Gulf of Oman, disabling it after the crew repeatedly failed to follow directions.
The MEA described the use of lethal force against civilian shipping as unacceptable, saying such actions undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region. India asked the US to ensure its forces operating in the area take all necessary measures to prevent civilian casualties and to convey India’s strong concerns to US authorities.
The strike occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, where competing maritime restrictions tied to the ongoing West Asia conflict have disrupted commercial shipping. The MEA said attacks on merchant shipping are “deeply concerning” and linked to the broader conflict in the Middle East, and reiterated India’s call for immediate de‑escalation.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/s-jaishankar-to-marco-rubio-on-killing-of-3-indian-sailors-11630071#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-06-13 06:48:00
