NEW DELHI, June 12 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – India summoned the United States deputy chief of mission for the second time in three days on Friday to lodge a formal protest against ongoing U.S. military strikes on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. The diplomatic escalation follows a series of incidents involving ships carrying Indian mariners, including a lethal attack that claimed three lives.
Persistent Diplomatic Friction
The Ministry of External Affairs officially requested the presence of U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jason Meeks to express deep concern regarding the safety of civilian crews. This marks the second time New Delhi has summoned a senior U.S. official this week, a rare move between two nations that have cultivated a close strategic partnership for two decades.
The first summons occurred on Wednesday following a U.S. Navy strike on the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello. According to official reports, the attack resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors. A second incident occurred on Thursday involving a Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel, the Jalveer, which carried 20 Indian crew members. While no injuries were reported in the second strike, the recurring nature of these maritime strikes has caused significant alarm within the Indian government.
The Impact of U.S. Naval Blockades
The U.S. Central Command, known as Centcom, has been enforcing a strict blockade around the Strait of Hormuz since mid-April 2026. This operation aims to prevent the export of Iranian crude oil. American officials maintain that military action is taken only against vessels that violate sanctions and disregard repeated commands to halt.
However, India has challenged the methodology of these enforcement actions.
A source from the Ministry of External Affairs stated, “MEA summoned Meeks to lodge a protest against attacks on commercial vessels off the Coast of Oman.”
The government has emphasized that the loss of life is unacceptable and that civilian workers should not be caught in the crossfire of international sanctions enforcement.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that the struck vessels are reportedly part of a global “shadow fleet,” which utilizes frequently changing flags and ownership details to bypass trade restrictions. Despite this, New Delhi maintains that the nationality of the crew remains a primary concern, regardless of the ship’s operational history.
Domestic Repercussions
The diplomatic standoff arrives at a sensitive time, just days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet at the G7 summit in France. Relations between the two countries have recently faced strain, exacerbated by trade tariffs and diverging foreign policy approaches regarding regional rivals.
The maritime crisis has also intensified domestic political pressure on the Indian government. Opposition parties have been vocal about the need for a firm stance against Washington to protect Indian citizens working on international shipping routes.
Beyond the bilateral impact, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves through the global economy. With approximately 20% of the world’s petroleum passing through this chokehold, the combination of U.S. military strikes and Iranian retaliation has caused shipping insurance rates to climb, raising concerns over potential spikes in global oil prices.
