NEW DELHI: India has formally summoned a senior United States diplomat after a US military strike targeted a vessel carrying Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman, leaving three Indian seafarers missing and triggering renewed concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the region.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Wednesday that it had called in Jason Meeks, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in New Delhi, following the incident involving the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello.
The diplomatic move underscores growing tensions between the two countries over the impact of the ongoing US military campaign against Iranian-linked maritime activities.
According to Indian authorities, the vessel had a crew of 24 Indian nationals on board when it came under attack off the Omani coast.
Twenty-one sailors were rescued, while search operations continue for three crew members who remain unaccounted for.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged carrying out what it described as a “precision strike” against the tanker on Tuesday evening as it transited the Gulf of Oman.
US officials claimed the vessel was transporting Iranian oil and alleged that the crew failed to comply with instructions issued by American forces operating in the area.
Maritime security agencies reported that the Settebello, a chemical and oil products tanker, transmitted a distress signal after an engine room fire broke out approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Sohar, a major port city in Oman.
The Omani Navy responded swiftly to the emergency call, coordinating rescue efforts alongside regional maritime authorities.
British maritime security consultancy Vanguard also confirmed that Omani forces had intervened following the distress alert.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the incident and reiterated its opposition to attacks affecting civilian shipping.
“Our Embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and remains in active coordination with Omani authorities involved in the ongoing search and rescue operation,” the ministry said.
It further stressed that commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure should not become targets amid escalating regional hostilities. “The targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region must end,” the statement added.
The incident has drawn international attention and condemnation from maritime organisations concerned about the growing risks faced by merchant sailors navigating one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), denounced actions that endanger seafarers and disrupt international navigation.
Analysts suggest that the strike could further strain relations between India and the United States at a time when bilateral ties are already facing significant challenges.
New Delhi has been under mounting domestic pressure to respond more forcefully after previous incidents involving Indian sailors caught in the crossfire of regional tensions.
Opposition parties have criticised the Indian government for what they describe as an initially muted response to earlier attacks involving vessels carrying Indian crew members. The latest incident, however, prompted a stronger diplomatic reaction, culminating in the summoning of the senior US envoy.
Since the outbreak of hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran earlier this year, several vessels linked to India have been affected by military actions in the region.
At least two other Indian-associated ships were struck during the conflict, raising alarm among shipping companies and maritime authorities.
