India Protests After US Military Strikes Kill Indian Sailors
NEW DELHI — India has protested U.S. strikes following attacks on three merchant vessels with Indian crew members near the Gulf of Oman. These attacks resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors and raised significant concerns regarding the safety of civilian shipping in the region.
The incidents occurred over the past week near Oman, where three foreign-flagged merchant vessels, primarily crewed by Indians, were reportedly targeted by the U.S. military. According to Indian authorities, the ships involved were the MT Settebello, MT Marivex, and MT Jalveer.
The most tragic incident involved the MT Settebello, which came under attack on Wednesday. Of the 24 Indian crew members aboard, 21 were rescued, while three lost their lives. The deceased sailors were identified as Aditya Sharma, a cadet; Shivanand Chaurashiya, a fitter; and Patnala Suresh, the chief engineer. Their bodies are expected to be returned to India soon.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, confirmed that India had lodged a strong protest with the United States. He emphasized that the safety and well-being of Indian seafarers is a top priority and stressed the need to stop attacks on commercial shipping vessels.
The operator of the MT Settebello, iOS Marine, denied allegations of any connection to Iran or Iranian oil. The company also claimed that no successful communication was established before the strike and described the ship as a civilian merchant vessel engaged in legitimate commercial operations.
These developments come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, linked to the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict affecting maritime movement. The strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains under close surveillance as military activity continues to impact international shipping routes.
Families of the deceased sailors are demanding a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Maritime unions in India are also questioning whether alternative measures could have been employed instead of military action.
With more than 18,000 Indian seafarers currently working in the Gulf region, this incident has renewed concerns about the safety of civilian crews caught in geopolitical conflicts. India has reiterated its stance that commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure should not become targets in regional disputes.
