India summoned U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Jason Meeks after a U.S. Navy missile struck a commercial vessel carrying 24 Indian crew members [1].
The incident creates a diplomatic rift between two strategic partners as India demands accountability for the targeting of a civilian ship in international waters.
The attack occurred on Monday, June 3, 2024 [4], within Omani territorial waters. A U.S. Navy missile struck the Palau-flagged tanker, causing the vessel to catch fire and sink. Reports vary on the name of the ship, identifying it as either the Settebello or the MT Marivex.
U.S. officials said the vessel was black-listed and was attempting to evade a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, which prompted the strike.
Rescue operations were launched immediately following the attack. An Omani military official said, "We have rescued 21 of the 24 Indian seafarers; three remain missing" [2]. The urgency of the situation was captured in an audio clip from one of the Indian crew members who said, "Please help, the tanker is on fire and sinking."
India's Ministry of External Affairs expressed strong condemnation of the event. A spokesperson for the ministry said, "The attack is unacceptable and commercial vessels must be spared in any security operation."
While some reports described the ship as Indian-flagged, other sources maintain the vessel was registered in Palau. The Indian government continues to seek clarity on the rules of engagement used by the U.S. Navy that led to the sinking of a commercial ship and the disappearance of three sailors [3].
“"The attack is unacceptable and commercial vessels must be spared in any security operation."”
This incident highlights the volatility of maritime security in the Middle East and the risks faced by neutral commercial crews. The U.S. justification—that the ship was evading a blockade of Iranian ports—suggests an escalation of naval enforcement that may clash with India's priority of protecting its global seafaring workforce.
