Gulf of Oman: 3 Indian sailors killed in American attack, Jairam Ramesh raises questions on PM Modi’s silence

Three Indian sailors have lost their lives during the US attack in the Gulf of Oman. After this tragic incident, a political debate has erupted in India and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has raised questions on the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

American attack and death of sailors

According to the information, around 10-11 June 2026, the US Army attacked an oil tanker named MT Settebello. Three Indian sailors—Deck Cadet Aditya Sharma, Engine Fitter Shivanand Chaurasiya and Engineer Patnala Suresh—were killed in the attack. The other 21 Indian sailors on board have been rescued safely.

The US military command (CENTCOM) said the reason for the attack was that the ship was allegedly carrying Iranian oil and did not obey the instructions of the US military, thereby violating the US blockade.

Indian government expressed strong protest

India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has described these deaths as tragic. He directed the officials to ensure immediate return of the rescued sailors and bring the bodies of the deceased to India at the earliest.

• The Indian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned this attack.
• The Indian government summoned the US Deputy Chief of Mission to register its protest.
• Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, while talking to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed strong protest and said that such deadly attacks on merchant ships are not justified.

At the same time, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear to India that violation of the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz or illegal transportation of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.

Controversy between PM Modi and Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has targeted Prime Minister Modi and called him ‘Self-styled Vishwaguru’. He alleged that when PM Modi and President Donald Trump met and made public statements during the G7 Summit in Evian, France, the Prime Minister made no mention of the killing of these three Indian sailors. Ramesh raised the question whether the Prime Minister would register India’s strongest protest against the US Secretary of State’s threatening and unacceptable language.