Deeply devastated by the tragic news from the Gulf of Oman. Three innocent Indian civilian seafarers — Patnala Suresh, Shivanand Chaurasiya, and Aditya Sharma — have lost their lives following a targeted US precision military strike on the commercial oil tanker, M/T Settebello.
These men were not combatants. They were civilian mariners doing their jobs, caught in the crossfire of a geopolitical standoff.
I strongly support the Government of India's swift and firm response in calling out this unacceptable overreach. By summoning the US Chargé d'Affaires to lodge a strong protest and forcefully raising the matter at the United Nations, New Delhi has made it clear that Indian lives are not acceptable “collateral damage”.
While the US enforces its maritime blockade, it must cease and desist from targeting commercial civilian infrastructure and crews. A military strike on an engine room, knowing civilians are on board, is unjustifiable.
Global maritime forces have plenty of non-lethal methods to intercept, redirect, or board non-compliant vessels. Resorting to missile strikes that kill civilian crews must stop immediately. Freedom of navigation must apply to the safety of the sailors who power global trade. I hope india firmly demands this of its US interlocutors since practically every ship in those waters carries Indian crew.
Our deepest prayers are with the bereaved families. We stand with you. 🕉️ शांति!