New Delhi: India has lodged a strong diplomatic protest with the United States after three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members came under attack in the Gulf region, resulting in the deaths of three Indian seafarers. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged Washington to immediately halt such actions and emphasized that the safety of civilian sailors and commercial shipping must be protected.
Speaking during a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had conveyed its “deepest concerns” to the US administration and clearly communicated that attacks on vessels with Indian seafarers “must stop.” The Indian government also called for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region.
According to Indian authorities, three merchant vessels with Indian crew members were targeted by US forces in the Gulf of Oman within a span of a few days. The most serious incident involved the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello, where three Indian sailors lost their lives following a US strike. Twenty-one other Indian crew members were rescued safely.
The deceased sailors were identified as Patnala Suresh, Aditya Sharma, and Shivanand Chaurashiya. Their deaths mark the first reported fatalities involving Indian seafarers since the United States began enforcing a maritime blockade targeting Iran-linked shipping routes in April.
India summoned the US chargé d’affaires in New Delhi to formally register its protest. The government stressed that the welfare and safety of Indian seafarers remain a top priority and expressed concern over repeated attacks involving ships carrying Indian nationals.
The United States has defended its actions, stating that the vessels were allegedly attempting to transport Iranian oil in violation of the blockade and had failed to comply with warnings issued by US forces. However, shipping operators associated with some of the affected vessels have disputed those claims and called for independent investigations into the incidents.
The attacks have triggered growing concern in India because the country supplies one of the world’s largest seafaring workforces. More than 300,000 Indian seafarers are employed globally, many of whom work on commercial vessels operating in the Gulf and West Asian regions.
India has also raised the issue at international forums, calling for restraint and emphasizing that commercial shipping lanes and civilian infrastructure should not become targets during regional conflicts. Officials warned that continued attacks on merchant vessels could threaten global maritime security and disrupt international trade routes.
The incidents come amid escalating tensions involving the United States, Iran and several regional actors. The Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters remain among the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. Any disruption in the region has the potential to affect international energy markets and global supply chains.
With Indian citizens now among the casualties, New Delhi has adopted a firmer diplomatic stance and is closely monitoring developments. Government officials have indicated that India expects all parties to respect international maritime norms and ensure the safety of civilian crews operating in international waters.
As tensions continue to rise in West Asia, India has reiterated its call for de-escalation, dialogue and the protection of innocent seafarers caught in the crossfire of geopolitical conflicts.
