New Delhi: India has strongly protested to the United States after three merchant vessels carrying Indian seafarers came under attack by the US Navy near the Gulf region over the past four days, resulting in the deaths of three Indian nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the incidents as deeply concerning and asserted that such attacks on commercial shipping must stop immediately.
The attacks involved three foreign-flagged vessels, Settebello, Marivex, and Jalveer, operating in waters near the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. According to the MEA, the strikes were carried out by American military forces amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing efforts by the United States to enforce sanctions related to Iranian oil exports.
The most serious incident occurred on June 10, when the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello was struck by US forces. The attack resulted in the deaths of three Indian crew members among the 24 Indian sailors aboard the vessel. Following the incident, India summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and handed over a formal diplomatic protest, expressing its deep concern over the repeated targeting of ships carrying Indian nationals.
Speaking at a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India attaches the highest importance to the safety and welfare of its seafaring community. He confirmed that New Delhi had registered a strong protest with Washington and conveyed its position that such attacks must cease immediately.
“We summoned the US Charge d’Affaires and conveyed our deepest concern over the ongoing incidents of attacks. We also registered our strong protest,” Jaiswal said. He further emphasized that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable path for resolving regional conflicts and stressed the need to maintain uninterrupted maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law.
Earlier, on June 8, another Palau-flagged tanker, Marivex, carrying 24 Indian crew members, was disabled during a US military operation. All crew members aboard the vessel were rescued safely, and no casualties were reported.
A third vessel, Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker carrying 20 Indian seafarers, was attacked on Thursday. The US Central Command later stated that the vessel had been disabled after a combat aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into its engine room. According to the American military, the action was taken after the crew allegedly failed to comply with directions from US forces. The US claimed that the vessel had violated sanctions by attempting to transport Iranian oil.
The US Central Command also confirmed its involvement in operations against both Settebello and Marivex. Indian authorities, however, have focused on the humanitarian impact of the strikes, particularly the loss of Indian lives and the risks faced by thousands of seafarers working in the region.
Providing details on rescue and evacuation efforts, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said evacuation procedures for the crew aboard Jalveer had commenced. He added that all remaining crew members from Settebello, including 21 Indians and four foreign nationals, had been safely evacuated.
The government also announced financial assistance for the families of the deceased sailors. The Seamen Welfare Fund Society has been directed to provide Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the family of each Indian seafarer who lost their life in the attack.
According to official figures, more than 18,000 Indian seafarers are currently employed in the Gulf region. Of these, 562 crew members are serving aboard 13 Indian-flagged ships, with hundreds operating near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
India has reiterated that the continuing attacks on shipping are a direct consequence of the escalating conflict in West Asia and warned that such incidents threaten global trade, maritime security, and civilian lives. The MEA stressed that the targeting of commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure must end and called for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways.
The issue is also expected to feature prominently in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral discussions with world leaders on the sidelines of the upcoming G7 Summit in France, as India seeks to safeguard its maritime interests and protect the thousands of Indian nationals working across one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
