Diplomatic Crisis Escalates Over Lethal Maritime Action
India has lodged a fierce diplomatic protest with Washington after American military strikes killed three Indian mariners aboard a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar directly confronted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, labeling the lethal actions against commercial shipping as entirely unjustified.
Tensions flared after American forces targeted the foreign-flagged vessel, MT Settebello, accusing it of breaching a naval blockade on Iranian ports. While rescue teams saved 21 Indian crew members, three sailors perished in the assault. This region serves as a vital energy corridor for global trade, and disruptions here directly threaten New Delhi's energy security and the safety of thousands of its seafaring citizens.
Security conditions deteriorated further when another commercial vessel carrying 20 Indian citizens came under fire. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks for the second time to demand an immediate halt to these aggressive maneuvers. Official channels confirmed that authorities are currently coordinating with international agencies to repatriate the mortal remains of the deceased sailors.
