The recent military escalation in the Gulf of Oman has resulted in a devastating human cost. Tragically, three Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead following a direct US military strike on the commercial oil tanker, MT Settebello. Initially reported as missing, the deceased have now been officially identified as deck cadet Aditya Sharma, engine fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya, and chief engineer Patnala Suresh. The Palau-flagged vessel was carrying a total of 24 Indian crew members when the incident occurred. Fortunately, a joint search-and-rescue operation involving Omani authorities managed to safely rescue the remaining 21 sailors from the disabled vessel.
CENTCOM’s Aggressive Justification
To understand the context of this fatal incident, we must examine the official statements provided by the US military. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) claimed that an American aircraft deliberately fired precision munitions directly into the ship’s engine room. According to Washington, the vessel was attempting to transport Iranian oil, thereby violating an ongoing American blockade. Furthermore, CENTCOM asserted that the crew repeatedly failed to comply with navigational directions issued by American forces. Consequently, the US military physically disabled the merchant vessel, arguing it was a necessary enforcement measure.
FSUI Strongly Rejects US Claims
However, the maritime community in India has completely rejected this aggressive use of deadly force. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) strongly criticized the military action, arguing that the deaths were entirely preventable.
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FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav highlighted that US naval forces were “101 per cent certain” of the crew’s Indian nationality before launching the missile strike.
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He firmly argued that if the vessel was not complying, physically detaining the ship would have been a viable, non-lethal alternative.
Therefore, the union views the strike as a severe and unjustified escalation against innocent civilian workers who were merely caught in a geopolitical crossfire.
India’s Decisive Diplomatic Response
Ultimately, the Indian government has not remained silent on this tragedy. In a strong diplomatic pushback, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned the US Charge d’Affaires, Jason Meeks, to officially register a severe protest over the unprovoked attack on a commercial ship. In addition, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal publicly addressed the tragedy, describing the deaths as a profound loss to the maritime family. He assured the public that the government is actively facilitating the immediate repatriation of the rescued crew and the swift return of the deceased sailors’ mortal remains. Moving forward, India continues to firmly demand that the targeting of commercial shipping must end immediately.