Congress Questions PM’s Silence Over Death of Sailors
The Indian Embassy in Muscat confirmed the death and said efforts were under way to bring the body back to India
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday escalated its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the deaths of three Indian seafarers in US military strikes on commercial vessels off the Oman coast, alleging silence and failure to defend national interests.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of not responding after the United States warned that violations of its naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and transport of Iranian oil would not be tolerated.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, “A compromised Prime Minister remains silent, listens like an obedient servant and follows orders,” alleging that the government had failed to protect Indian citizens and national dignity.
He also said the US had continued issuing directives instead of expressing regret over the deaths, and cited statements that commercial vessels must comply with American military orders, adding that a sovereign nation would not accept such language.
Gandhi raised the case of Indian sailor Nishanth Uirthanathan, who died due to medical complications aboard MT Celestial docked at Duqm Port in Oman, and urged the government to expedite repatriation of his mortal remains.
The Indian Embassy in Muscat confirmed the death and said efforts were under way to bring the body back to India.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the Prime Minister’s silence three days after the incident. “Indian lives cannot be treated as an afterthought in matters of foreign policy,” he said, adding that “silence is not a substitute for accountability.”
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the government’s response as “shameful” and said India must firmly convey to the US that it is a sovereign nation capable of defending its interests.
The remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told external affairs minister S. Jaishankar that all commercial vessels must immediately comply with US military instructions in the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating that violations of the blockade and illicit transport of Iranian oil would not be tolerated.
India has protested the deaths of the seafarers, with Jaishankar terming the US military action against commercial shipping unjustified. New Delhi also summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks to convey its objections.
