Congress Criticizes U.S. Over Deaths of Indian Sailors, Questions Jaishankars Response

New Delhi, June 15: The deaths of Indian sailors due to U.S. attacks off the coast of Oman have sparked a strong reaction from India. The Congress party criticized the actions of the Trump administration on Sunday, particularly regarding the attacks on oil tankers in the region.

They raised concerns about India’s perceived weak response to the U.S. Navy’s actions. Congress leaders questioned External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s ability to convey India’s position effectively during discussions with his U.S. counterpart, Marco Rubio.

Congress MP Manish Tewari described the incident as deeply troubling. He stated, “This reflects a profound insensitivity to India’s concerns. There is no remorse, regret, or sympathy. The message is clear: anyone violating U.S. sanctions in Hormuz will face consequences. The tanker struck by the U.S. was allegedly violating these sanctions.”

Tewari further emphasized that India had expressed serious concerns over the deaths of three Indian nationals in the U.S. airstrike, suggesting that the U.S. government had not acknowledged India’s criticism.

Congress MP Pawan Khera also voiced objections regarding the U.S. attack and India’s response, stating, “Dr. Jaishankar used very mild language and did not present our case forcefully. We lost three of our citizens.”

Khera noted that there was no condemnation from Jaishankar, nor was there any pressure on the U.S. to apologize. He remarked, “It is, in fact, the U.S. that is reprimanding us.”

He pointed out that according to the Geneva Convention of 1949, such attacks on commercial vessels are unacceptable.

In response, Dr. Jaishankar took to social media platform X, stating, “I spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong opposition to the U.S. Navy’s attacks in the Gulf, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are unacceptable.”

Earlier, on Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks to address the situation.