Fury in India as its sailors become collateral damage in Trump’s war with Iran
Fury in India Over Sailor Deaths in US-Iran Conflict
India’s Sailors Face Tragic Loss in US Strike
Fury in India as its sailors – India’s sailors – a vital part of its maritime workforce – suffered a tragic loss when a US airstrike targeted the commercial oil tanker M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. The attack, which hit the ship’s engine room, sparked a fire and thick smoke, leading to a critical rescue operation. Three Indian crew members were confirmed dead, marking the first casualties of this kind in a US campaign to enforce sanctions on Iranian ports. The Palau-flagged vessel was carrying Iranian crude oil, yet the incident has raised concerns that India’s seafarers are being caught in the crossfire of a conflict far from their homeland.
Government Condemns US Action Amid Growing Tensions
The Indian government swiftly condemned the strike, with its foreign ministry spokesperson stating that the “attacks must stop” during a press briefing. This followed New Delhi’s decision to summon the US Chargé d’Affaires to express its displeasure. The timing of the incident is particularly sensitive, occurring just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump at the G7 summit. Modi’s silence on the matter has drawn pressure from Indian labor unions, urging him to publicly address the issue.
Unions Demand Accountability for Casualties
“The government of India must speak – loudly and firmly,” said the Centre of Indian Trade Unions in a statement. This call for action reflects rising anxiety among Indian seafarers, many of whom work on foreign-flagged vessels in the Gulf of Oman. The union highlighted that the deaths of sailors during the US-Israeli clash with Iran underscore a larger problem of national vulnerability in the region. The attack has intensified calls for India to advocate more aggressively for its workers in international waters.
India’s Maritime Workforce at Risk
India, a major supplier of merchant marine labor, has over 300,000 seafarers globally, most employed on ships registered under other flags. This reliance on foreign vessels has placed Indian crew members in precarious positions, especially as tensions between Washington and Tehran escalate. Recent strikes on commercial ships in the Gulf of Oman have created a climate of fear among workers, many of whom have been stranded in the region due to ongoing military operations. The M/T Settebello incident highlights the risks these sailors face in a conflict that does not directly involve them.
Escalating Concerns Following Back-to-Back Attacks
Just a day before the Settebello strike, US forces attacked the M/T Marivex, rescuing 24 Indian seafarers without casualties. This incident, combined with the recent strike on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged M/T Jalveer, has further raised alarms about the safety of India’s sailors. While the Jalveer attack targeted its engine room for attempting to transport Iranian oil, the crew remained unharmed. These events have reinforced fears that India’s maritime workforce is increasingly bearing the brunt of the US-Iran conflict.
Public Outcry and Domestic Impact
India’s ports and shipping minister expressed solidarity with the bereaved, but public sentiment remains more critical. The father of one of the deceased sailors, Rajesh Sharma, told ANI, “I have only one demand: that my son’s remains be brought back.” He questioned the adequacy of rescue efforts and the circumstances that led to the loss of three crew members from his country. The incident has deepened domestic frustrations, with some viewing it as a test of Modi’s diplomatic resolve.
Strategic Challenges in Indo-US Relations
The attack has complicated Indo-US relations, which have seen both cooperation and strain in recent months. Despite a strong strategic alliance, political and economic tensions have emerged, with the incident adding to the friction. Opposition parties in India are using the event to critique Modi’s approach, arguing that the US is prioritizing its regional objectives over the safety of Indian laborers. The Modi administration now faces the challenge of reconciling its alliance with the US while addressing domestic concerns about the welfare of its sailors.
