14 June,2026 04:13 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. File Pic
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday sharply criticised the United States (US) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the US Navy strikes on an oil ship in the Gulf that killed three Indian sailors.
In a post on X, the Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said, "Just days after the murder of three Indian sailors in American attacks - no remorse, no apology. On the contrary, America has continued issuing orders."
"Read their words: 'Comply immediately with the orders of the US military.' No violation 'will be tolerated'," he added.
"A free country would never tolerate such language. But our Compromised PM? Silent. They listen like an obedient servant and comply with the orders. Compromised PM will not defend the country's honor--because those who insult the country are under their control," Gandhi further stated.
The Congress leader's remarks follow the death of three Indian sailors in a US military strike on a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman.
The vessel, MT Settebello, came under fire on Wednesday after US forces accused it of violating the ongoing naval blockade on Iranian ports. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 were rescued, while the three others were later confirmed deceased.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had on Friday summoned the US Charge d'Affaires, Jason Meeks, to lodge a strong protest against the ongoing attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman. This was the second time that Meeks was summoned by the MEA. Previously, he was summoned after a commercial vessel with 20 Indian crew members on board came under attack in the region.
A day earlier, All India Congress Committee Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera faulted the Indian government for not taking a firm stand on the issue.
In a message on social media platform X, Khera said, "Instead, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly chose to issue a warning, declaring that failure to comply with the orders of the US military 'will not be tolerated'. That is the language of command, not contrition."
"There was no acknowledgement of the lives lost, no acceptance of responsibility, and no apology," he added.
"What makes the episode even more embarrassing was New Delhi's response. Rather than calling the strike what it was, the External Affairs Minister merely observed that lethal actions against commercial shipping are 'not justified'," Khera said.
"'Not justified'? That is the phrase you use for an overpriced airport sandwich, not for a military strike that kills civilians. The appropriate words for America's actions are: illegal, reckless, and unacceptable. Instead, we got the kind of carefully sterilised euphemism that manages to offend no one -- except the families of the dead," he added.
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge India's strong protest against the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman.
(With ANI and IANS inputs)
