External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday said he had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s strong protest over US Navy attacks in the Gulf that led to the deaths of three Indian seafarers.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was unjustified and reiterated New Delhi’s concerns over the safety of civilian maritime traffic.

“Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. 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 wrote.

Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. 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.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2026

The conversation came days after three Indian crew members were killed in a US strike on the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello off the coast of Oman, triggering a sharp diplomatic response from New Delhi.

Three Indian Crew Members Killed In Gulf Strike

According to official information, the vessel had 24 Indian crew members on board. Twenty-one sailors were rescued, while the three missing crew members were later confirmed dead. The deceased were identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and chief engineer Patnala Suresh.

The US military has said the tanker was targeted after allegedly failing to comply with instructions issued by American forces during the enforcement of a blockade on Iran-linked shipping. The vessel was struck off the coast of Oman amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region.

The deaths of the three sailors have sparked grief and concern across India, one of the world’s largest suppliers of maritime manpower.

India Lodged Formal Diplomatic Protest

Following the incident, India summoned the US chargé d’affaires in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest with Washington. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the use of lethal force against civilian shipping and stressed that attacks on commercial vessels undermine the safety and stability of international maritime commerce.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had earlier said attacks on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members must cease immediately and called for dialogue and diplomacy to restore peace and stability in the region.

According to the government, three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members came under attack in the Gulf region during the week, prompting authorities to place relevant agencies on high alert and strengthen coordination with the Indian Navy, shipping companies and international maritime bodies.

Safety Of Indian Seafarers Emerges As Key Concern

The deaths have renewed concerns about the safety of Indian sailors operating in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. The issue is expected to figure prominently in diplomatic engagements in the coming days as New Delhi continues to press for stronger safeguards for Indian seafarers and the protection of commercial shipping routes in the Gulf region.

India has consistently maintained that freedom and security of navigation are essential to global trade and has called for restraint and diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation in the region.

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