MEA protests to US after 3 Indian sailors killed in ship attacks

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New Delhi, June 11

India has lodged strong protest with the United States after three Indian sailors were killed in attacks on merchant vessels off the coast of Oman, marking the first time New Delhi has publicly acknowledged that ships carrying Indian crew members were targeted by the US military. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Thursday said that the three foreign-flagged merchant ships with Indian crew members had come under attack in the past four days.

One of the vessels, the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello, was struck on 10 June, resulting in the deaths of three Indian sailors. The ship was carrying 24 Indian crew members at the time of the attack. Another Palau-flagged tanker, Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers, was disabled on 8 June. All crew members were rescued safely. A third vessel, Jalveer, was also reportedly involved in the incidents.

Following the attack on Settebello, India summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and handed him a formal diplomatic protest. “We lodged a strong protest with the American side,” Jaiswal said. “We conveyed our deepest concern over the ongoing incidents of attacks and reiterated the importance of the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers.”

He added that India had urged all parties to pursue dialogue and diplomacy and called for uninterrupted access through the Strait of Hormuz in line with international law.

US Central Command has confirmed strikes on Settebello and Marivex but has not commented on reports concerning Jalveer.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said all surviving crew members from Settebello had been evacuated safely. They included 21 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Ukrainian.

Officials said the families of the three deceased Indian sailors would receive financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each from the Seamen Welfare Fund Society.

According to government figures, more than 18,000 Indian seafarers are currently working in the Gulf region, including hundreds aboard Indian-flagged vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

India said two of the vessels involved were under sanctions administered by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, while another had been classified as non-compliant.

The incidents have raised fresh concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and the thousands of Indian sailors working in one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors.