External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed India's serious concerns over the incident. During the conversation, Jaishankar reiterated India's strong protest against the US Navy action and stated that lethal attacks on commercial shipping cannot be justified.
The diplomatic exchange came days after three Indian crew members were killed in a US strike on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman. The incident triggered a sharp response from New Delhi, which has raised concerns over the safety of civilian maritime personnel operating in the region.
India emphasized that commercial vessels and civilian sailors must not become targets of military operations. The government conveyed its position directly to Washington, underscoring the need to protect maritime security and ensure the safety of seafarers navigating international waters.
The deaths of the three Indian sailors have intensified diplomatic tensions between the two countries and prompted India to seek accountability over the strike. New Delhi has maintained that attacks resulting in civilian casualties aboard commercial vessels are unacceptable and has called attention to the risks posed to maritime traffic in the Gulf region.
The incident has emerged as a significant diplomatic issue, highlighting India's determination to safeguard its citizens working in global shipping operations and reinforcing its stance that military actions against commercial shipping must not endanger civilian lives.
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