Tharoor calls US ‘deeply insensitive’ after 3 Indian sailors killed in Gulf strike

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Saturday (June 13) condemned the United States military's strikes on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman that killed three Indian seafarers, calling the official US statement "deeply shocking". He criticised the statement for containing no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of Indian lives.

Tharoor questions US response

Taking to social media, Tharoor said the US statement was wholly inadequate for a country that presents itself as India's strategic partner. "Deeply shocking to read this official US statement, which contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives. How can a 'friend' and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?" he wrote.

He challenged the US military's use of lethal force against a commercial vessel, asking why non-lethal means had not been considered. "Why couldn't a non-compliant commercial vessel have been stopped using other, non-lethal means? Is it not possible to disable a ship's propulsion or steering without firing missiles targeted to kill civilian crew members?" he said.

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Tharoor also raised a broader concern about the safety of Indian maritime workers across the region. "Practically every merchant ship navigating these crucial waters has Indian crew on board. Are they all considered fair game for US missiles now?" he asked, adding that he hoped External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had conveyed India's objections directly to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Tharoor also separately expressed gratitude to Oman for the swift rescue of 21 Indian seafarers from the MT Settebello, writing: "Though our hearts are heavy with grief over the three Indian nationals killed, Indians appreciate Oman's continued support."

Three ships, three attacks, three deaths

The deaths came after three separate US Navy strikes on commercial tankers over less than a week. On June 8, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers, was disabled by US forces. All crew members were safely rescued.

On June 10, the US struck another Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, killing three of the 24 Indian sailors on board.

A third vessel, Jalveer — a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker with 20 Indians — was struck on Thursday. The US Central Command said Jalveer "violated the blockade against Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil" and that its crew had "repeatedly failed to comply with directions from US forces." A combat aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel's engine room.

Jaishankar lodges strong protest

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, currently on a visit to Europe, spoke to Rubio by phone on Saturday. He described the US military's actions as unjustified. "I reiterated India's strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified," Jaishankar said on social media. India had summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks on both Wednesday and Friday, with the Ministry of External Affairs conveying its "deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping."

Trump, Tehran trade blame

US President Donald Trump on Friday accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks against Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz, calling the alleged action "totally unacceptable." Iran swiftly rejected the charge. "The US president's accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is simply baseless. It is an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the US has attacked three Indian vessels in less than a week and killed three innocent Indian sailors. That's pathetic!" the Iranian Embassy in India said.

Congress turns up political heat

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also trained his fire on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of silence in the face of the deaths. "Three Indians have been killed in US attacks on three ships in international waters within three days. And our Compromised PM — not a single word.

Also Read: US Navy rescues 14 sailors aboard Indian-flagged dhow off Oman coast

When any foreign power murders an Indian, the prime minister has to speak up," Rahul wrote on X. He alleged that Modi, who has publicly showcased his relationship with Trump as a diplomatic achievement, would "smile, embrace, and sign agreements" at the upcoming G7 while saying nothing for the three Indian sailors. "A compromised PM cannot protect the sons of Mother India, because he lacks either the courage or the strength to confront those who took the lives of those sons," Rahul added.