Senior Congress MP Dr. Shashi Tharoor slammed the United States after no statement of condolence came forward after a US military strike claimed the lives of three Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman.
Tharoor, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, took to X and raised queries over Washington’s response to the deaths. He questioned how a ” strategic partner ” could “be so deeply insensitive?”
Shashi Tharoor criticises US apathy
The Congress MP’s post came after External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over escalating concerns in the region.
“Deeply shocking to read this official US statement, which contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives. How can a “friend” and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?,” Tharoor wrote on X.
He added, “Why couldn’t a non-compliant commercial vessel have been stopped using other, non-lethal means? Is it not possible to disable a ship’s propulsion or steering without firing missiles targeted to kill civilian crew members?”
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Questioning whether the US considers striking all ships operating in the region, as every merchant ship comprises Indian crew, Tharoor concluded his post saying that he hoped that Jaishankar had conveyed the same to Rubio.
“Practically every merchant ship navigating these crucial waters has Indian crew on board. Are they all considered fair game for US missiles now? This approach is unacceptable and I hope Dr. S. Jaishankar had said so to Marco Rubio”.
Deeply shocking to read this official US statement, which contains absolutely no expression of regret or condolence for the loss of innocent Indian lives. How can a “friend” and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?
Why couldn’t a non-compliant commercial vessel have been… pic.twitter.com/heUIOGuulG
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 13, 2026
Indian sailors killed near Oman
Three Indian merchant navy crew members were killed off the coast of Oman after a US missile struck the Palau-flagged vessel Settebello. The strike was conducted as part of the United States’ attempts to enforce the naval blockade on Iran.
Following reports of the deaths of the sailors on board, the Ministry of External Affairs had summoned the Charge d’Affaires of the US in Delhi and issued a demarche in protest, demanding answers and accountability for the strike.
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FAQs:
1.Why did Shashi Tharoor criticise the United States?
He said the US statement after the deaths of three Indian seafarers contained no apology, regret, or condolences.
2.What questions did Tharoor raise about the US strike?
He asked why non-lethal methods were not used to stop the vessel instead of a missile strike that killed civilian crew members.
