Key Facts
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticized the United States for its official response to the killing of three Indian sailors in a US military strike in the Gulf of Oman. Tharoor expressed shock that the US statement contained no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives.
Tharoor's Reaction
In a post on X, Tharoor wrote: "Deeply shocking to read this official US statement, which contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives. How can a 'friend' and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?" He questioned why non-lethal methods were not used to stop the vessel, asking: "Why couldn't a non-compliant commercial vessel have been stopped using other, non-lethal means?" He further added: "Is it not possible to disable a ship's propulsion or steering without firing missiles targeted to kill civilian crew members?"
Government Response
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday, describing the lethal actions by the US military against commercial shipping as unjustified. The incident has sparked concern over the safety of Indian seafarers in the strategically important waters.
Details of the Incident
- June 8: US forces disabled the Palau-flagged oil tanker Marivex, carrying 24 Indian seafarers. All crew were safely rescued.
- June 10: US struck another Palau-flagged tanker, Settebello, with 24 Indian sailors on board. Three Indian crew members were killed.
- June 12 (Thursday): Another vessel, Jalveer (Guinea-Bissau-flagged), carrying 20 Indian nationals, was attacked.
New Delhi has conveyed its concerns to Washington over the loss of Indian lives.
FAQ
What did Shashi Tharoor say about the US statement?
Tharoor called the US statement 'deeply shocking' for lacking any expression of regret or condolence for the Indian sailors killed.
How many Indian sailors were killed in the US strike?
Three Indian crew members were killed when US forces struck the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello on June 10.
What action did External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar take?
Jaishankar raised the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing the lethal actions as unjustified.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com