Three Indian Sailors Killed in Strike on Oil Tanker in the Gulf of Oman

Three Indian sailors were killed when a US strike hit the oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman during the West Asia conflict. India objected strongly to the deaths and summoned the US charge d'affaires in New Delhi twice to register its protest over this and other incidents that put Indian seafarers at risk. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he had conveyed India's strong protest in a phone call with the US Secretary of State.

The incident has added strain to an India-US relationship already passing through an uneasy phase, made tougher by US moves to raise tariffs on Indian goods. The US justified the strike by alleging that the vessel had breached its blockade of Iranian ports and that the crew had ignored warnings, which it argued could be grounds for action under the laws of war. The ship's operator denied these claims.

The episode highlights how exposed Indian seafarers are in conflict zones. Indians make up a very large share of the world's merchant crews, numbering around 3.08 lakh, or roughly 12 per cent of the global pool. Modern shipping is complicated: a single tanker may be registered in one country, operated by a company in another, and crewed by Indians, which blurs questions of responsibility and protection when attacks occur on neutral merchant ships.

For India, the priorities are clear: prevent such attacks from happening again, secure stronger protections for its mariners, and push for the blockade to be lifted. New Delhi has stressed that the safety and lives of its citizens are a red line, even as it works to keep the broader relationship with Washington on track. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under the emerging peace deal is expected to bring relief to seafarers who had been risking their lives.

For exam preparation, this topic links International Relations, India's diaspora and maritime workforce, and international humanitarian law, making it relevant for UPSC and State PCS general studies.