Good that the EAM took up the killing of Indians with the State Secretary level, after the meek initial response of the MEA which didn't even name the US. But the official State Department statement is utterly insensitive, though not shocking. It shows no regret, expresses no condolences for the loss of Indian lives and offers no course correction. Instead, it almost blames the victims for "violating" the illegal U.S. blockade in the Gulf of Oman. What kind of a comprehensive strategic partnership we are talking about when one side is shooting missiles at the sailors of the other in waters close to the latter's shores? Like any self-confident, rising country, India must also treat the killing of its nationals by foreign powers as the brightest of our red lines.
The Prime Minister's silence is not helping him politically or the country geopolitically.