India, US spar over killing of 3 Indian mariners near Hormuz
India has termed the attacks “unjustified” and summoned the US chargé d’affaires twice in recent days, while Washington insists its actions are aimed at enforcing restrictions on Iranian oil shipments and maintaining maritime security in the region.
A diplomatic war of words has erupted between India and the United States following US Navy strikes on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman and near the Strait of Hormuz that left three Indian mariners dead.
India has termed the attacks "unjustified" and summoned the US chargé d'affaires twice in recent days, while Washington insists its actions are aimed at enforcing restrictions on Iranian oil shipments and maintaining maritime security in the region.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today (13 June) held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which he raised New Delhi's "strong protest" over the deaths of the Indian sailors. Jaishankar said the use of lethal force against commercial shipping was not justified.
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"Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India's strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners," Jaishankar said on social media platform X.
On the other hand, a statement from the US State Department said Rubio and Jaishankar discussed recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz. It said the US urged all commercial vessels to comply with instructions from US forces.
"The secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the strait," the statement said, adding that violations of the US blockade and "illicit transport of Iranian oil" would not be tolerated.
The spar between New Delhi and Washington came ahead of next week's G7 summit in France where Prime Minister Narendra Modi could meet President Donald Trump.
