India demands end to US ship strikes after three sailors are killed
India has demanded an immediate halt to U.S. strikes on commercial vessels in the Gulf after three Indian sailors died in an attack on the tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman. The deaths have deepened concern in New Delhi because Indian seafarers make up a large part of the global merchant shipping workforce. In addition, the attack has raised fresh alarm over the safety of civilian crews as tensions continue to rise across key maritime routes. Indian officials said commercial ships must stay protected and should not become targets in a wider geopolitical fight.
The Indian government has also moved quickly on the diplomatic front. Foreign Ministry spokesperson said India raised the matter directly with Washington and called for attacks on civilian shipping to end. However, officials have framed the response around de-escalation, not confrontation. They say secure sea lanes are vital for global trade, energy supplies, and the safety of thousands of sailors working across the Gulf region.
Fatal tanker strike off Oman triggers India’s protest
The attack on the Palau-flagged MT Settebello has become a major diplomatic issue for India. The tanker was carrying 28 crew members, including 24 Indians, when it came under attack near the coast of Oman. Three sailors died in the strike, and that made the incident a serious escalation for Indian merchant seafarers in the Gulf. As a result, India formally summoned the U.S. chargé d’affaires and demanded accountability for the attack. The government has also raised concerns about the safety of civilian ships in a tense maritime zone.
Questions remain about what happened before the strike. U.S. Central Command said the vessel ignored repeated warnings and was linked to Iranian oil shipments. However, the ship’s operator rejected those claims and said the tanker was on a legitimate commercial voyage. The company has also called for an independent international investigation. In addition, the case has increased pressure on regional shipping routes and deepened concern over the safety of Indian sailors working in conflict-hit waters.
New US strike on Jalveer adds pressure in Gulf waters
A new U.S. strike on the tanker MT Jalveer has deepened tension in the Gulf of Oman and raised fresh concern in New Delhi. U.S. Central Command said a U.S. jet fired two Hellfire missiles into the tanker’s engine room on June 11 after the crew did not follow instructions. It also said the vessel was trying to move Iranian oil. All 20 crew members were reported safe, and the Royal Navy of Oman helped with evacuation efforts. The attack was the third U.S. strike this week on Indian-crewed tankers in the Gulf, after the fatal hit on MT Settebello and a separate strike on Marivex.
The latest strike has added pressure on regional shipping routes and sharpened India’s concerns over the safety of its seafarers. India has called for an immediate halt to attacks on commercial vessels and has placed its agencies on high alert. The shipping ministry is working with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Navy, and other bodies to track the situation and protect Indian maritime interests. Since April, U.S. blockade operations have reportedly disabled nine vessels and redirected 135 others, adding to uncertainty across one of the world’s most important maritime trade regions.As uncertainty grows across Gulf waters, India’s focus remains clear: safeguard its seafarers, secure vital trade routes, and prevent further escalation in a region critical to global commerce.
Web Resources on India Demands Halt to US Ship Strikes
1. Reuters.com : India demands end to US attacks on ships after three sailors killed.
2. BBC.com : Three Indian sailors killed in US strike on oil tanker.
3. Guardian.com : Delhi issues ‘strong protest’ after US strikes kill three Indian seafarers in Gulf