Not Justified: Jaishankar raises Indian mariners' deaths with US Secy of State Rubio :::: " ..... such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified"

Not Justified: Jaishankar raises Indian mariners' deaths with Rubio  

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday said he had spoken to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed India's strong protest over US naval attacks in the Gulf that killed three Indian seafarers.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he had "reiterated India's strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners" and stressed that "such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified."

The conversation comes days after three Indian crew members were killed in a US strike on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman, triggering a sharp response from New Delhi. 

The vessel had 24 Indian crew members on board, of whom 21 were rescued, while the three missing sailors were later confirmed dead.  Following the incident, India lodged a strong protest with Washington and summoned the US charg d'affaires in New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs said it had conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping and stressed that attacks on commercial vessels undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had earlier said that attacks on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members must cease immediately. 

He also called for dialogue and diplomacy to ensure an early return to peace and stability in the region.

Three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members came under attack in the Gulf region during the week, heightening concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in one of the world's busiest shipping corridors. 

In response, the government has directed relevant agencies to remain on high alert and coordinate closely with the Indian Navy, shipping companies and international maritime authorities.

The US military has said the Settebello was targeted after allegedly failing to comply with instructions issued by American forces during enforcement of a blockade on Iran-linked shipping.

US President Donald Trump accused Iran of carrying out a drone attack on Indian ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, describing the incident as "totally unacceptable."  

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "Their (Iran's) totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together and FAST."  

India has earlier also summoned the United States' top diplomat for a second time after a third vessel carrying Indian crew members was caught up in a maritime security incident near Oman within just three days. 

The development has intensified concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers operating around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes. 

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