India has lodged a strong protest with the United States after three Indian seafarers were confirmed dead following a US strike on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello near the coast of Oman. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s concern over the deaths of Indian mariners in the Gulf region.
Jaishankar said lethal action against commercial shipping was not justified, underlining India’s position that civilian merchant vessels and crew members must be protected even during periods of military tension. The issue has become diplomatically sensitive as the incident involved Indian nationals working on an international commercial vessel in one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
The three Indian sailors were initially reported missing after the attack on MT Settebello. Their deaths were later confirmed after the bodies were located and identified. Reports said Omani authorities rescued 21 Indian crew members from the vessel. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal described the deaths as a profound loss to India’s maritime community and said officials had been directed to help the families, repatriate rescued crew members, and bring back the bodies of the deceased sailors.
India Seeks Clarity From US
India’s protest has gone beyond one phone call. Reports said New Delhi summoned the US chargé d’affaires for the second time in connection with attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members. The Ministry of External Affairs has also expressed concern over the use of force against civilian shipping, calling it unacceptable and dangerous for maritime safety.
US Central Command reportedly said the tanker was targeted over an alleged breach of restrictions linked to Iranian oil shipments. However, the ship’s manager denied any Iran connection and called for an international investigation. This conflicting account has made the case more serious, as India is seeking clarity on why a commercial tanker with Indian crew members was struck.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions near the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil tankers and global trade. Any military action in this region can quickly affect shipping traffic, energy markets, and the safety of thousands of seafarers working on foreign-flagged vessels.
Growing Concern For Indian Seafarers
The deaths have raised wider concern about the safety of Indian sailors employed on international vessels passing through conflict-prone waters. India is one of the major contributors of seafarers to global shipping, making the protection of Indian maritime workers a serious national concern.
Reports of another non-lethal strike on a vessel with Indian crew members in the same region have added to the anxiety. For families of sailors and the shipping community, the MT Settebello incident has highlighted the risks civilian crews face when military operations expand into busy commercial sea routes.
The Indian government’s immediate focus is on supporting the bereaved families, ensuring the safe return of rescued crew members, and demanding accountability for the deaths. The incident is likely to remain a key issue in India-US diplomatic discussions as New Delhi pushes for stronger safeguards for commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in the Gulf.
