Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the United States remarks following the deaths of three Indian sailors in American strikes on commercial vessels near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Congress leader accused the Prime Minister of remaining silent despite what he described as “Disrespectful” language used by the US after the incident. Gandhi alleged that the Prime Minister was behaving “like an obedient servant” by complying with American directives instead of defending India’s national interests.
His comments came after the US stated that commercial vessels operating in the region must immediately comply with instructions issued by American forces enforcing the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly conveyed this position to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during a recent conversation.
In a post on social media, Rahul Gandhi said that there had been “Neither regret nor apology” from the US following the deaths of the Indian sailors. He argued that a sovereign nation should not tolerate such language and criticised the Centre’s response to the crisis.
The remarks have intensified the political debate over the government’s handling of the incident involving Indian nationals. The Congress has questioned the Centre’s diplomatic approach, while the government has maintained that it has lodged a strong protest with the United States over the deaths of the Indian seafarers.
India had earlier summoned the US chargé d’affaires and conveyed that the use of lethal force against civilian shipping carrying Indian crew members was unacceptable. The Ministry of External Affairs has also called for restraint and a return to dialogue to ensure maritime security in the region.
The controversy comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia and growing concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers working on international commercial vessels operating in conflict zones.
