NEW DELHI, June 12 - India called in the United States deputy chief of mission in New Delhi on Friday to lodge a formal protest over U.S. military strikes on commercial ships off the coast of Oman, an Indian source said. The summons of U.S. deputy chief of mission Jason Meeks is the second time in three days New Delhi has publicly signaled its displeasure to Washington over the incidents.
According to the Indian source, Meeks had already been summoned on Wednesday after a U.S. navy strike killed three Indian sailors aboard the Palau-flagged oil products tanker Settebello. The source said the Ministry of External Affairs - the government department that handles foreign affairs - again conveyed its objections on Friday.
The source provided the following account: "MEA summoned Meeks to lodge a protest against attacks on commercial vessels off the Coast of Oman." The source added: "Yesterday, yet another vessel with 20 Indian crew on board came under attack." Indian officials said there were no deaths or injuries reported in that later incident.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi did not respond immediately to a request for comment on the summons or the strikes.
Diplomatic observers note that India and the United States have developed a close strategic partnership over the last two decades, and it is uncommon for New Delhi to summon a U.S. diplomat to present a formal protest. The relationship, the source said, has faced strains during President Donald Trump's second term, including over U.S. tariffs and Washington's engagement with countries New Delhi regards as rivals, namely Pakistan and China.
The killing of Indian sailors occurred days before a likely meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit in France, adding a timely diplomatic complication to already sensitive ties.
Summary
India summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission twice in three days to protest U.S. naval strikes that resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors on the Palau-flagged tanker Settebello and an additional attack on a separate vessel with 20 Indian crew, which caused no injuries. The Ministry of External Affairs formally registered its protest and the U.S. Embassy did not immediately comment. The incidents have added pressure to bilateral relations ahead of a scheduled summit-level meeting.
Key points
- India formally summoned U.S. deputy chief of mission Jason Meeks twice in three days to protest strikes on commercial vessels off Oman - impacts diplomatic relations and maritime security.
- A U.S. navy strike killed three Indian sailors on the Palau-flagged oil products tanker Settebello; a separate attack on another ship with 20 Indian crew produced no casualties - impacts commercial shipping and crew safety.
- The incidents intensify existing strains in Indo-U.S. ties during President Trump's second term, against a backdrop of tariffs and U.S. engagement with Pakistan and China - impacts high-level diplomatic engagement ahead of the likely Modi-Trump meeting at the G7.
Risks and uncertainties
- Further attacks or maritime incidents could increase diplomatic friction between India and the United States - risk to diplomatic and defense relations.
- The timing, days before a likely summit meeting, may complicate high-level talks and reduce room for diplomatic flexibility - risk to bilateral negotiations and strategic cooperation.
- Uncertainty remains over Washington's public response, as the U.S. Embassy did not respond immediately, leaving unanswered questions about intent and accountability - risk to transparency in incident investigations and communications.