Jaishankar Protests Deaths of Three Indian Seafarers in Call With U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio
India Lodges Strong Diplomatic Objection After Fatal Strike on Commercial Vessel, Calls for Protection of Civilian Shipping
India has formally protested the deaths of three Indian seafarers in U.S. military strikes on commercial vessels operating near the Gulf of Oman, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raising the issue directly during a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The diplomatic intervention marks one of the strongest public objections by New Delhi over the ongoing maritime conflict in the region.
Following the conversation, Jaishankar stated that India had conveyed a “strong protest” and emphasized that “lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.” He stressed that the safety of civilian seafarers must remain a priority regardless of geopolitical tensions and called for greater restraint to protect international maritime navigation.
The protest follows a U.S. strike on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello near the coast of Oman, an incident in which three Indian crew members were killed while many others were rescued. U.S. authorities have stated that the vessel was targeted because it was allegedly violating a blockade on Iranian oil shipments, while the ship’s management has disputed those allegations and sought an independent investigation.
India has also summoned the senior U.S. diplomat in New Delhi to register its concerns and has urged an immediate end to attacks on commercial vessels carrying civilian crews. The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated that maritime trade routes are essential to global commerce and that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than actions endangering civilian lives.
The tragedy has generated widespread concern because India supplies one of the world’s largest pools of merchant seafarers, with hundreds of thousands of Indian nationals serving aboard international commercial ships. The government has consequently instructed relevant agencies, including maritime authorities and the Indian Navy, to remain on high alert and coordinate measures to safeguard Indian shipping interests in the region.
The incident also adds a sensitive dimension to India-U.S. relations at a time when both countries maintain close strategic cooperation across defense, trade, and Indo-Pacific security. While New Delhi has strongly condemned the loss of civilian lives, it continues to advocate diplomatic engagement and adherence to international maritime norms to prevent further escalation.
