India Expresses Concern Over US Strikes in the Gulf
New Delhi – Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reached out to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to voice strong objections after American naval strikes targeted merchant vessels off the coast of Oman, resulting in the deaths of three Indian sailors.
This communication follows India’s summoning of a senior US diplomat in New Delhi for the second time in just two days regarding the incident. Jaishankar expressed his concerns on social media, stating, “I spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.”
The tragic events began on June 8, when a US strike affected the Palau-flagged tanker MT Marivex, followed by another strike on the Palau-flagged MT Settebello, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian crew members. Additionally, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker was struck by US forces the following Thursday, but thankfully, the crew, which included 20 Indian sailors, was rescued.
In response to the escalating situation, the US State Department acknowledged it has been in “direct contact” with Indian officials but has not commented specifically on Jaishankar’s call to Rubio.
India has one of the largest numbers of seafarers in the world, with over 320,000 active sailors reported in 2025. In light of recent events, India’s shipping ministry advised all sailors, whether on Indian or foreign-flagged vessels, to exercise increased caution when navigating through conflict-prone areas.
Additionally, the Indian Navy conducted a risky operation to remove an unexploded missile from the crude oil tanker MT Olympic Life after it suffered a strike off the coast of Oman on May 26. The tanker, managed to reach India’s southern port of Kochi despite the damage.
Tensions in the region have been high, especially since Iran has limited shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas supplies, following recent attacks by the United States and Israel.
As the situation continues to develop, India remains vigilant and is actively engaging diplomatically to address its concerns.
