India Slams US Silence After Sailors Killed in Oman Waters
New Delhi-Indian lawmakers criticised Washington on Sunday over what they described as a lack of apology or regret after three Indian seafarers were killed in a US attack on a commercial tanker near Oman, while a fourth sailor died after being unable to receive medical assistance amid a regional blockade.
Aditya Sharma, a cadet, Shivanand Chaurashiya, a fitter, and Patnala Suresh, a chief engineer, were killed aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello after a US aircraft fired at the tanker’s engine room last week, according to the Forward Seamen’s Union of India.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US envoy in New Delhi to register a protest, but the US Department of State said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told India’s foreign minister that commercial vessels must comply with US military orders and that violations of the American blockade around the Strait of Hormuz would not be accepted.
The statement triggered criticism from Indian opposition lawmakers, who said Washington had failed to acknowledge the loss of Indian lives.
Rahul Gandhi, leader of India’s opposition, said there was no expression of regret or apology following the deaths. Congress lawmaker Shashi Tharoor also criticised the US response, calling the absence of condolences over the deaths of Indian sailors deeply concerning.
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India said a fourth sailor, second officer Nishanth Uirthanathan, died from medical complications aboard the MT Celestial off Oman after the vessel was unable to reach medical facilities.
The union said many Indian sailors remained stranded in the region because of restrictions linked to the US blockade. Manoj Yadav, the union’s secretary-general, said some vessels faced shortages of food, drinking water and medical supplies.
The incidents occurred amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran around the Strait of Hormuz, where thousands of Indian nationals work aboard commercial ships.
US Central Command said the vessels involved had failed to comply with instructions from American forces, while the manager of MT Settebello rejected the claim, saying there had been no communication before the strike.
The union said three commercial vessels carrying Indian crew were attacked by US forces during the previous week, increasing concerns over maritime safety in the region.
