Key Takeaways

• US Navy struck three merchant vessels with Indian crews off Oman, killing three nationals.
• India lodged a strong diplomatic protest, summoning the US Charge d'Affaires.
• Three ships affected include Palau-flagged Settebello and Marivex, plus Guinea-Bissau-flagged Jalveer.
• Prime Minister Modi may raise shipping restrictions during upcoming G7 summit meetings.

India on Thursday, June 11, 2026, issued a stern diplomatic warning to Washington following the U.S. Navy’s targeting of three merchant ships carrying Indian crew members off the coast of Oman. In a significant escalation of the region's maritime tensions, New Delhi confirmed that these strikes occurred within a four-day window, resulting in the tragic death of three Indian nationals. The Indian government has lodged a strong formal protest with the United States, asserting unequivocally that such attacks must cease immediately. This marks New Delhi’s first public acknowledgment that the U.S. military directly targeted these specific commercial vessels, underscoring the severity of the diplomatic friction.

The incident began on June 8 when U.S. forces disabled the Marivex, a Palau-flagged oil tanker carrying 24 Indian seafarers, though all crew members were successfully rescued. The situation escalated dramatically on June 10, when the U.S. Navy struck another Palau-flagged tanker, the Settebello, also carrying 24 Indian sailors. This second strike was fatal, killing three out of the 24 crew members on board. Just one day later, on June 11, a third vessel, the Jalveer, a Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker with 20 Indian crew members, came under attack.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified during a news briefing that the attacks on the Settebello, Marivex, and Jalveer were all carried out by the U.S. Navy. In response to the killing of three citizens, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned U.S. Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks and delivered a demarche, a formal diplomatic note of protest. Mr. Jaiswal emphasized the government’s high regard for the welfare of its seafaring community, stating, "When this particular attack on the ship Settebello occurred, we lodged a strong protest with the American side." He reiterated that India conveyed its deepest concern over these ongoing incidents and registered a strong protest, making its position clear regarding the safety of its citizens.

In its official statement, the U.S. Central Command justified the strike on the Jalveer, claiming the vessel was "disabled" after combat aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into its engine room. The U.S. military alleged that the Jalveer's crew "repeatedly failed to comply with directions from U.S. forces" and violated the blockade against Iran by attempting to transport Iranian oil. Mr. Jaiswal noted that two of the three involved vessels were subject to sanctions administered by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), while the third was classified as non-compliant. However, he stressed that these were foreign-flagged vessels-two Palau-flagged and one Guinea-Bissau-flagged-and not Indian-owned ships.

The human cost of these incidents is profound. Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed that the evacuation of seafarers from the Jalveer has commenced. For the Settebello, all remaining 25 crew members, including 21 Indians, two Pakistanis, one Russian, and one Ukrainian, were safely evacuated. The Seamen Welfare Fund Society has been directed to pay ₹10 lakh to the family of each deceased sailor. Mangal reported that over 18,000 Indian seafarers remain in the Gulf region, with 562 crew members aboard 13 Indian-flagged ships positioned in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

India has condemned the continuing attacks on commercial shipping as deeply worrisome, linking them directly to the ongoing conflict in West Asia. New Delhi has been pressing for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a diplomatic resolution. In a statement on June 9, the MEA declared that the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure must end, calling for the restoration of free and unimpeded navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.

The diplomatic fallout is expected to extend beyond bilateral meetings. Secretary (West) in the MEA, Sibi George, indicated that the evolving situation in West Asia and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will likely feature in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France next week. This suggests that the issue will be elevated to a broader international platform, potentially influencing global responses to the conflict and the protection of maritime trade routes.

Geopolitical Implications of Maritime Escalation

The targeting of merchant vessels carrying Indian nationals represents a critical flashpoint in U.S.-India relations, challenging the strategic partnership between the two democracies. As New Delhi demands an end to hostilities and insists on diplomatic solutions, the incident highlights the vulnerability of global supply chains to regional conflicts. The involvement of U.S. sanctions enforcement against Iranian oil adds a layer of economic complexity to the military actions. If such incidents persist, they could lead to stricter scrutiny of American naval operations in international waters and force New Delhi to take more public diplomatic stances at global forums like the G7. The evacuation of thousands of seafarers underscores the urgent need for protected maritime corridors, suggesting that future negotiations may focus heavily on security guarantees for commercial shipping to prevent further loss of life and economic disruption.