‘Compromised PM’: Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi’s Silence Over Death Of Three Indian Sailors In US Attacks

Last Updated:June 12, 2026, 14:44 IST

Three Indian seafarers were killed after United States naval forces attacked the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence over the death of three Indian seafarers who were killed after United States naval forces attacked the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman.

Taking to X, Gandhi said, “Three Indians have been killed in US attacks on three ships in international waters within three days. And our Compromised PM? Not a single word. When any foreign power murders an Indian, the Prime Minister has to speak up. But heaven forbid he should utter even one word."

The Congress leader further called the prime minister “compromised", who cannot “protect the sons of Mother India".

“Next week at the G7, just days after the murder of our sailors, Modi ji will smile, embrace, and sign agreements – but for those three Indians, he won’t have a word to spare. A Compromised PM cannot protect the sons of Mother India, because he lacks either the courage or the strength to confront those who took the lives of those sons," he added.

Minister Confirms Death Of Three Sailors

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Thursday confirmed the deaths of the three Indian sailors and called the incident a “profound loss" for India’s maritime community.

“It is deeply unfortunate to learn of the tragic incident aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello. Sadly, three Indian seafarers initially reported missing are now confirmed dead after bodies have been located and identified," the minister wrote on X.

“This is a profound loss to our maritime family. The Modi Govt stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin," he added.

How The Incident Unfolded

The commercial vessel, with 24 Indian crew onboard, was attacked off the coast of Oman on Wednesday. The missile fired by the US naval forces had torn through the engine room of the oil tanker Settebello, which had triggered a fire onboard. The tanker was near the Strait of Hormuz.

“We condemn the attack on the commercial vessel Settebello off the coast of Oman, earlier today. Of the 24 Indian crew onboard, 21 Indians have been rescued thus far, and 03 Indians are reportedly missing," said the foreign ministry in the statement.

The ministry said that the attacks on shipping in the region are “deeply worrisome" and further said that they were a direct result of the US-Iran war.

Nagaraj Naidu, Additional Secretary in the Foreign Ministry, summoned Jason Meeks, the United States’ chargé d’affaires, to lodge a protest over the attack on the ship.

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