India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned American Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks over what it described as “continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman.” Three Indian sailors are confirmed dead.
Three separate attacks on commercial vessels occurred between June 10 and June 12, 2026. The most devastating struck the Settebello, a Palau-flagged tanker crewed entirely by Indian nationals.
Of the 24 Indian sailors aboard, three were killed. The remaining 21 were rescued.
India’s MEA didn’t mince words. The ministry expressed “deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping” and called on US forces to “take all necessary measures to prevent the loss of civilian life.”
India summoned the US diplomat twice in less than 48 hours.
