India summons US envoy over strikes on ships off Oman

India summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission in New Delhi on Friday, June 12, to formally protest against U.S. military strikes targeting commercial vessels off the coast of Oman, an Indian source said, marking the second such démarche in three days.

Jason Meeks, the U.S. deputy chief of mission, had already been called in on Wednesday, June 10, after a U.S. Navy strike killed three Indian sailors aboard a Palau-flagged oil products tanker, according to the source.

Tensions escalated further after another vessel carrying 20 Indian crew members came under attack on Thursday, although no casualties or injuries were reported in that incident.

"MEA summoned Meeks to lodge a protest against attacks on commercial vessels off the Coast of Oman," the source said, referring to India’s Ministry of External Affairs.

"Yesterday, yet another vessel with 20 Indian crew on board came under attack," the source added.

The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The episode underscores a rare public friction between New Delhi and Washington, which have built a close strategic partnership over the past two decades. Diplomatic protests of this nature by India against the United States are uncommon.

Bilateral ties have faced mounting strain during President Donald Trump’s second term, amid disputes over tariffs and U.S. engagement with India’s regional rivals, including Pakistan and China.

The deaths of the Indian sailors come just days ahead of a likely meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump on the sidelines of the Group of 7 summit in France, adding further sensitivity to the diplomatic standoff.

By Tamilla Hasanova