Jaishankar Lodges Protest With Rubio Over Sailors’ Deaths

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI / WASHINGTON.D.C.-External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and lodged a strong protest following a U.S. Navy strike in the Gulf of Oman that killed three Indian mariners.

Addressing the conversation on social media, Jaishankar wrote: “Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. 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.”

According to a U.S. State Department readout of the call, Rubio stressed that all commercial vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz should immediately comply with orders issued by U.S. forces. The statement said Rubio underscored that violations of the U.S. blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil would not be tolerated as American forces seek to uphold security in the strategic waterway.

The diplomatic exchange came amid mounting tensions in the region following a U.S. strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker ‘Settebello’ in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indian nationals. According to Indian authorities, 21 Indian sailors were rescued, while three crew members were later confirmed dead.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said a U.S. aircraft fired on the vessel after it allegedly repeatedly failed to comply with instructions from American forces and was attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of an ongoing U.S. blockade.

Following the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned U.S. Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time in a week and lodged a formal protest over what it described as continuing attacks by U.S. naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman.

The Ministry said the attacks had resulted in the “tragic and avoidable loss” of three Indian lives and expressed deep concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping.

“Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time,” the Ministry said, urging Washington to ensure that U.S. forces take all necessary measures to prevent civilian casualties. (With IANS Inputs)