VOI World/ Desk
India has summoned the United States chargé d’affaires in New Delhi for a second time in three days to protest American strikes on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members in waters near Oman, escalating a diplomatic dispute over the deaths of three Indian sailors.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it conveyed its strong concerns over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping and described the deaths of the Indian mariners as a “tragic and avoidable loss of life.” The latest démarche came after three Indian crew members aboard the tanker MT Settebello were killed in a US strike earlier this week.
According to the MEA, India stressed that targeting civilian vessels undermines the safety and stability of international maritime commerce, particularly in a region that serves as one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.
The diplomatic protest marked the second time New Delhi had summoned a senior US diplomat following attacks on vessels linked to Indian crew members operating near the Gulf of Oman. Indian officials also urged Washington to take measures to prevent further civilian casualties and ensure the safety of merchant shipping in the region.
The latest developments come amid conflicting narratives surrounding the incidents. US Central Command has defended the operations as precision strikes targeting vessels allegedly involved in violating restrictions linked to Iranian ports. American officials have maintained that the actions were operationally necessary and aimed at disabling the ships rather than harming crew members.
However, Indian officials and maritime organisations have questioned aspects of the US account, pointing to the presence of civilian sailors aboard the vessels and raising concerns about the circumstances surrounding the attacks.
The deaths of the three Indian mariners have drawn significant attention in India, where families of the victims and maritime unions have called for accountability and a thorough investigation into the incidents.
The episode represents one of the most serious recent diplomatic disagreements between New Delhi and Washington over the safety of Indian nationals working in international waters, even as broader strategic ties between the two countries remain strong.
