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Rahul Gandhi (File Photo)
New Delhi: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the deaths of three Indian sailors in a US military strike on a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
In a post on X, Gandhi criticized both the United States and the Centre's response to the incident, alleging that the Prime Minister had failed to defend India's dignity following the deaths of Indian nationals.
"Just days after the murder of three Indian sailors in American attacks — no remorse, no apology. On the contrary, America has continued issuing orders," Gandhi wrote.
अमेरिकी हमलों में तीन भारतीय नाविकों की हत्या के चंद दिन बाद - न अफ़सोस, न माफ़ी। उल्टा, अमेरिका ने आदेश देना जारी रखा है।
उनके शब्द पढ़िए: “अमेरिकी सेना के आदेश तुरंत मानें।” कोई उल्लंघन “बर्दाश्त नहीं किया जाएगा।”
एक आज़ाद देश इस तरह की भाषा कभी नहीं सहेगा। लेकिन हमारे…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 14, 2026
Referring to reported US military directives, he added, "Read their words: 'Comply immediately with the orders of the US military.' No violation will be tolerated."
The Congress leader further alleged that the Modi government had not responded firmly enough to the incident. "A free country would never tolerate such language. But our Compromised PM? Silent. They listen like an obedient servant and comply with the orders," Gandhi said.
His remarks come in the wake of a US military strike on the oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, in which three Indian sailors lost their lives. The vessel was targeted after US forces alleged it had violated an American naval blockade related to Iranian ports. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 were rescued, while three were later confirmed dead.
The incident has triggered diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Washington. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has lodged strong protests with the United States and summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks over the attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members. Reports indicate this was the second time the senior US diplomat was summoned in connection with such incidents.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also conveyed India's concerns to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stating that the killing of civilian mariners "cannot be justified under any circumstances."
The deaths of the three Indian sailors have intensified political debate in India, with the opposition demanding a stronger response from the government while the Centre continues diplomatic engagement with Washington over the safety of Indian seafarers in the region.
