Jaishankar Lodges Strong Protest With Rubio Over US Navy Attack That Killed Three Indians

NEW DELHI, June 13: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has lodged a strong protest with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian mariners, asserting that such actions against commercial shipping are unjustified.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he conveyed India’s concerns directly to Rubio, stating that “such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.” The conversation came days after three Indian crew members aboard the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello were killed in a US strike off the coast of Oman.

The vessel had 24 Indian crew members on board. While 21 sailors were rescued, the three missing mariners were later confirmed dead.

India has already lodged a formal protest with Washington and summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi over the incident. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping and stressed that attacks on commercial vessels threaten 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 and called for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region. (Agencies)