EAM Jaishankar raises death of Indian seafarers with Rubio, calls US attacks on commercial ships ‘Unjustified’
India has strongly raised concerns with the United States over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and reiterated New Delhi's strong protest against the strikes.
In a statement, Jaishankar said that “lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified” and stressed the need to ensure the safety of civilian maritime traffic. The conversation came after India formally protested attacks by US naval forces on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members in the Gulf region.
The diplomatic intervention follows a series of incidents off the coast of Oman involving foreign-flagged vessels staffed by Indian mariners. One of the attacks on tanker MT Settebello led to the deaths of three Indian sailors, while other vessels carrying Indian crew members were also targeted in separate operations.
India had earlier summoned the senior-most US diplomat in New Delhi and lodged a formal protest, expressing deep concern over the loss of Indian lives and the risks posed to international shipping routes. The government has called for restraint and emphasized that commercial vessels should not become targets of military action.
The issue has gained significance amid escalating tensions in the Gulf and concerns over maritime security in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. India, one of the world's largest suppliers of seafarers, has been closely monitoring the safety of its citizens working aboard commercial ships in the region.
