Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the United States' statements following the killing of three Indian sailors in American attacks. Gandhi accused Modi of behaving like an "obedient servant" who complies with US orders instead of defending the nation's honor.
Gandhi's Criticism of Modi's Silence
In a post on X in Hindi, Gandhi stated that just days after three Indian sailors were killed in American attacks, there was neither regret nor an apology from the US. Instead, the US continued to issue orders. He quoted US statements saying, "Obey US military orders immediately" and that no violation "will be tolerated." Gandhi remarked that a sovereign nation would never tolerate such language, but the "compromised PM" remains silent, listening like an obedient servant and complying with orders.
Gandhi further asserted that a compromised PM will not defend the nation's honor because he is beholden to those who insult the country.
US Statements and Diplomatic Reactions
Gandhi's remarks came a day after the US conveyed to India that any violation of its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and illicit transport of Iranian oil would not be tolerated. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio communicated this to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who had spoken with him on Friday to lodge a strong protest against the death of Indian nationals in US attacks on ships off the coast of Oman.
According to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, Secretary Rubio stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces to uphold peace and security in the Strait. Rubio underscored that violations of the US blockade and illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.
Background of the Incident
The US has imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz since April 13, preventing transit of ships to and from ports of Iran as part of efforts to restrict Tehran from profiting from oil trade. Three vessels with Indian crew came under attack off the Oman coast this week, resulting in the death of three Indian seafarers on Wednesday.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called Rubio to protest the deaths in a US military strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Jaishankar stated that such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified.
India's Strong Protest
Earlier on Friday, India summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks in New Delhi and told him that the American military's lethal strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew members off the coast of Oman are unacceptable.
Hours later, US President Donald Trump accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks against Indian ships leaving the Strait of Hormuz, calling it totally unacceptable. Trump claimed on Truth Social that Iran's "totally rebuffed Drone attack last night against Indian Ships leaving the Hormuz Strait is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. They better get their act together and FAST."
Iran vehemently rejected Trump's allegation. The Iranian Embassy in India stated that Trump's accusation against Iran regarding an Indian vessel in the Strait of Hormuz is baseless. It called the claim an attempt to divert public attention from the brutal fact that the US attacked three Indian vessels in less than a week and killed three innocent Indian sailors.
Disruptions in Shipping
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes. Disruptions in marine traffic continue even though a fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8.
