‘Not justified’: Jaishankar to Rubio on killing of 3 Indian mariners in US strike off Oman coast

New Delhi (TIP): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday informed that he conveyed India’s strong protest to the United States over attacks by their Navy on commercial vessels in the Gulf that resulted in the deaths of three Indian mariners, asserting that the use of lethal force against civilian shipping was “unjustified”. Jaishankar said he spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio last evening and reiterated New Delhi’s concerns over the attacks, which have escalated tensions between the two countries and raised alarm over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the region.
“Spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio this evening. I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners. Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar said.
The minister’s intervention came hours after India summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a formal protest over the continuing attacks on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members in the Gulf of Oman. The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier described the deaths of the three Indian sailors as “tragic and avoidable” and expressed deep concern over the use of deadly force against civilian shipping, warning that such actions undermine the safety and stability of international maritime commerce.
IAF jet crashes while landing at Assam
An Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft met with an accident while landing at an airbase in Assam on Saturday, triggering a fire and prompting an emergency response from authorities.
The incident took place at the Indian Air Force station in Jorhat. According to officials, firefighting operations were launched immediately after the accident and were continuing at the site. An initial statement from the Indian Air Force said, “Today an AN-32 of IAF met with an accident. Further update will be provided once more details are available.” The aircraft reportedly caught fire after landing within the airbase premises. Images and videos from the scene were not immediately available, and officials have yet to share details on the extent of the damage. A defence spokesperson said the AN-32 aeroplane crashed while landing at the Indian Air Force’s airbase in the Rowriah area of Jorhat district.