Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what he called the government’s silence after three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on a commercial vessel in the Gulf region.
Gandhi said the response from the centre showed a lack of defence of the country’s honour as the political row deepened around the deaths of the mariners aboard MT Settebello.
The ship was attacked on June 10 after US forces claimed it had violated a blockade imposed on Iranian ports. Out of 24 Indian crew members, 21 were rescued and three were later declared dead.
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If the Prime Minister is compromised, our foreign policy is compromised. Donald Trump exactly knows what Modi can do and what not.
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) June 12, 2026
— Rahul Gandhi Ji
Indians should never forget that when 3 Indians were killed by US missile attack, Narendra Modi was writing love letter to Trump. pic.twitter.com/g5S0jyW6nw
Rahul Gandhi's attack on Modi and the US response
In a post on X, Gandhi said a “free country would never tolerate such language”, referring to the US State Department’s warning that commercial vessels must follow instructions issued by American forces and that any violation of the blockade “will not be tolerated”.
He added that the government was acting “like an obedient servant” and claimed there was “no remorse, no apology” from the US after the attack.
Gandhi also criticised Modi directly, calling him a “compromised PM” and saying that “those who insult the country control them".
"Indira Gandhi had more courage than Narendra Modi," says Rahul Gandhi. Every day the PM proves him right by surrendering to the US. We need strong leadership, not compromises that put India’s interests second. pic.twitter.com/3lQuBGD3Hd
— VIZHPUNEET (@vizhpuneet) June 13, 2026
India's official protest and diplomatic response
The row followed a phone call between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after which Jaishankar said he had conveyed India’s “strong protest” over the attacks.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.”
The Ministry of External Affairs also summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks on Friday and formally registered a protest over the continuing attacks on commercial vessels near the coast of Oman.
Demand for repatriation and G7 backdrop
Gandhi separately appealed to the government to bring back the mortal remains of the sailors killed in the strike.
He linked the episode to broader concerns over the government’s foreign policy response and argued that Indians were being left to “rot” while the centre remained quiet.
The controversy comes at a sensitive diplomatic moment, with Modi and US President Donald Trump expected to meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, where bilateral and trade discussions are due.
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FAQs
Q1: Why did Rahul Gandhi criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi?
Ans: Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of remaining silent after three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike on a commercial vessel in the Gulf region.
Q2: How did India respond to the deaths of the Indian sailors?
Ans: India lodged a strong diplomatic protest, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raising the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the MEA summoning a senior US diplomat.
