India Lodges Strong Protest with US After Gulf Strike Kills Three Indian Seafarers

New Delhi, June 2026 : India on Friday sharply escalated its diplomatic response to the United States after a US Navy strike on a commercial oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed New Delhi’s strong protest directly to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, asserting that the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was unacceptable.

In a statement issued after the conversation, Jaishankar said he had reiterated India’s serious concerns over the incident and stressed that attacks resulting in civilian casualties aboard merchant vessels could not be justified under any circumstances. He emphasised that the safety of civilian mariners and the protection of international shipping lanes must remain a priority amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The diplomatic intervention came after Indian authorities confirmed that the three sailors who had initially been reported missing following the attack on the tanker Settebello had been found dead. The incident has triggered widespread concern in India and prompted the government to intensify its engagement with Washington over the safety of Indian nationals working in international maritime operations.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a formal protest regarding the continuing attacks by American naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members in the Gulf region. The MEA described the loss of Indian lives as tragic and avoidable and expressed deep concern over the repeated use of force against civilian shipping.

According to the ministry, such actions undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in an already volatile region. Indian officials urged the United States to ensure that its military forces operating in the area take all necessary precautions to prevent civilian casualties and avoid further incidents involving merchant vessels.

The Settebello, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, was carrying a crew of 28, including 24 Indian nationals and four foreign sailors from Pakistan, Russia and Ukraine. Following the strike, 21 Indian crew members were rescued, while search operations continued for the missing sailors until their deaths were officially confirmed.

US Central Command acknowledged carrying out the operation, stating that the tanker had allegedly failed to comply with instructions issued by American naval personnel and was suspected of transporting Iranian oil in violation of a US-imposed maritime blockade. According to US officials, precision strikes were directed at the vessel after repeated warnings were ignored.

The strike occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in West Asia, where military confrontations and competing maritime restrictions have disrupted shipping routes through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. India has repeatedly called for restraint and de-escalation, warning that continued hostilities threaten global trade and place civilian seafarers at grave risk.

The MEA reiterated that attacks on merchant vessels in the region are deeply troubling and linked to the broader conflict unfolding in the Middle East. It renewed India’s appeal for an immediate reduction in tensions and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region.

The deaths of the three Indian sailors have intensified concerns over the security of Indian maritime workers, who form a significant portion of the global shipping workforce. The government has assured the families of the deceased and the rescued crew members that all necessary assistance, including repatriation and support measures, is being extended.