The father of 23-year-old Indian seafarer Aditya Sharma, who was killed in a US military strike on the oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman, has updated his appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre to strengthen safety measures for Indian sailors working in conflict-prone waters. According to reports from ANI, Rajesh Sharma, the grieving father, acknowledged Modi's recent diplomatic constraints during his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit but expressed dissatisfaction with the Prime Minister's ability to assert his position firmly. 'The Prime Minister might be bound by his diplomatic responsibilities, and he could not raise his voice in the manner he should have. I still want to thank him, and I wish that our sailors and seafarers will be safe in the future after his statement... I want to appeal to the government to ensure the safety of our seafarers,' Sharma told ANI. His remarks came after Modi pressed Trump for greater protection for maritime workers during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
Aditya Sharma, a deck cadet from Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district, was among three Indian crew members who lost their lives when the Palau-flagged tanker was struck near the Strait of Hormuz. As reported by ANI, twenty-one other Indian crew members on board were rescued by Omani authorities. According to his family, Aditya had sent a message approximately an hour before the fatal strike. The incident occurred on June 10 when the vessel was struck near the Strait of Hormuz, with Aditya being among 24 Indian crew members on board at the time of the attack. The vessel, MT Settebello, came under fire after US forces accused it of violating an ongoing naval blockade on Iranian ports.
The incident has triggered diplomatic tensions between India and the United States. The Ministry of External Affairs summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks twice within a week to lodge a strong protest over the deaths of the Indian nationals. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar stated, "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." According to reports from ANI, the issue was further highlighted during Modi's interactions at the G7 Summit in France, where he stressed the importance of secure maritime routes and the protection of seafarers.
Addressing a session on "Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity" at the G7 Summit, PM Modi highlighted the risks faced by civilian maritime workers operating in conflict zones. 'Several Indian civilians have also lost their lives. The safety of seafarers, who connect nations through global maritime trade, is our responsibility,' Modi stated. Emphasising that civilian workers should not become victims of geopolitical conflicts, he called for safeguarding global shipping routes. 'We must ensure that sea routes remain secure and that seafarers can carry out their work without fear,' he added, urging greater international cooperation to prevent such incidents. During his meeting with Trump, Modi pressed for greater protection for maritime workers caught in the crossfire of escalating regional tensions.
During the G7 Summit discussions, President Trump offered a brief acknowledgement of the tragedy, stating 'I heard about that. It's a rough profession, and we work together on it' while adding 'This has been happening throughout time, but we work together. We love all those people. They are great people.' As reported by ANI, the leaders emphasized the need for continued cooperation despite the challenging circumstances facing maritime workers. The remarks come against the backdrop of the deaths of three Indian seafarers, including Aditya Sharma, in a US military strike on the oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman earlier this month.
