External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday and conveyed India’s strong protest against the US Navy attacks in the Gulf that left three Indian sailors dead.
“I spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest against the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that resulted in the death of three Indian sailors. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping have no justification,” Jaishankar wrote on X.
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Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday that three Indian sailors missing after the US attack on a tanker off the coast of Oman have been confirmed dead, at a time when reports emerged of another US strike on a commercial ship with Indian crew members on board in the same area.
The three sailors were initially reported missing after the Omani Armed Forces rescued the remaining 25 crew members, including 21 Indians, from the Palau-flagged ship MT Settebello, following an attack by a US aircraft on Wednesday.
“It is extremely unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident that occurred on board the Palau-flagged ship MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian sailors who were initially reported missing have now been confirmed dead after their bodies were located and identified,” Sonowal said on social media.
Describing the deaths as a “huge loss to our marine family”, Sonowal said the government “stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting their relatives”.
Sonowal added that he had instructed officials to ensure immediate repatriation of the rescued crew members and speedy return of the bodies of the deceased.
