AAP national convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday launched a sharp attack on US President Donald Trump following the deaths
of three Indian sailors off the Oman coast, calling him a "cowardly, cold-blooded murderer". In a strongly worded post on social media, Kejriwal held Trump accountable for the death of three Indian sailors in an attack by the United States. "Donald Trump, you will be held accountable for the Indian lives lost. You are a cowardly, cold-blooded murderer," the former Delhi Chief Minister wrote. Sharing a video on X, AAP leader also took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for staying silent on the attacks and alleged that the Centre had failed to respond strongly enough to the deaths of the Indian nationals. "It is unfortunate that PM Modi remains silent, but soon, India will have a strong Prime Minister who will make you pay for your misdeeds," he added.
Kejriwal's remarks came amid the growing political reactions over the deaths of three Indian sailors off Oman coast last week. While details surrounding the incident continue to emerge, opposition leaders have stepped up criticism of both the Centre's handling of the issue and the international circumstances linked to the tragedy.
US Forces Kill 3 Indian Sailors
A Palau-flagged oil tanker, MT Settebello, was struck by US forces in the Gulf of Oman on June 10, resulting in the deaths of three of the 24 Indian sailors on board. According to US forces, the vessel had allegedly violated the naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports.Earlier, another Palau-flagged tanker, MT Marivex, came under US attack on June 8, while carrying 24 Indian crew members. All sailors aboard were safely rescued.
A third vessel, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MT Jalveer, was hit on June 11 by the United States. The tanker had 20 Indian seafarers on board at the time of the strike.
Jaishankar Speaks To Rubio
Following the attacks on Indian sailors, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on June 12 directly spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over a phone call and stressed that attacks on commercial vessels cannot be justified. During the call, the External Affairs Minister raised concerns over US military strikes on Indian merchant vessels in the Gulf of Oman."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 in a post on X.
However, responding to Jaishankar's concerns, Rubio said that all commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz must immediately comply with orders from American forces and that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.
