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.”
“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,” Jaishankar wrote on X.
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.
According to the government, 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.
The deaths of three seafarers – deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh – have sparked grief and concern across India, one of the world’s largest suppliers of maritime manpower. The issue is also expected to figure prominently in diplomatic engagements in the coming days as New Delhi continues to press for the safety of Indian seafarers and the protection of commercial shipping routes in the Gulf region.
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Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Jun 13, 2026 02:57 IST
