'Such lethal actions are not justified': Jaishankar speaks to Rubio after deaths of 3 Indian sailors in US military strike

India has strongly protested the deaths of three Indian seafarers following a US military strike on a commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raising the issue directly with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The diplomatic intervention came after Indian authorities confirmed that three crew members who had initially been reported missing after the strike were found dead.

Jaishankar raises concerns with Rubio

On Friday evening, Jaishankar spoke with Rubio and conveyed India's objections to the incident.

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In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said, "Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India's strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified."

The conversation followed growing concern in New Delhi over attacks on merchant vessels operating in the region.

US diplomat summoned by MEA

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a formal protest over what it described as continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian sailors.

In a statement, the MEA said the incidents had already resulted in the "tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives". The Ministry also expressed concern over the use of force against civilian shipping, saying "such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time".

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India urged the US to ensure that its forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to prevent civilian casualties.

Details of the tanker strike

The vessel involved, the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello, had 28 crew members on board, including 24 Indians and four foreign nationals: two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian and one Russian.

21 Indian sailors were rescued after the strike. Search efforts for the missing crew members continued until their deaths were confirmed.

The US military acknowledged carrying out the strike. According to US Central Command, the tanker was targeted after allegedly failing to comply with instructions from US naval personnel and attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of an American blockade.

Call for de-escalation

The MEA described attacks on merchant shipping in the region as "deeply concerning" and linked them to the wider conflict in West Asia.

"Attacks on shipping in the region are deeply worrisome and a direct result of the ongoing conflict in the region. We reiterate our call for immediate de-escalation," the Ministry said.

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The strike comes amid heightened tensions across the region, where ongoing conflict has disrupted commercial maritime traffic and raised concerns about the safety of civilian vessels.

FAQs:

Why did India protest to the United States?

India protested after a US military strike on an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors.

What did S Jaishankar tell Marco Rubio?

Jaishankar reiterated India's strong protest and said that lethal actions against commercial shipping are “not justified”.