Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing growing criticism from the political opposition over his reaction to the death of three Indian sailors in the Oman Gulf, who were killed last week by US forces. Anger has been rising in India over the past few days, as the United States has refused to apologize for the deaths of the three men, who were working on commercial oil tankers when they were killed in missile strikes.
Opposition party leader Rahul Gandhi of the National Congress on Sunday criticized Modi, the leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata party, for remaining ‘silent’ on the killing of the sailors by the US. According to Gandhi, the incident is part of the ‘illegal war’ of US President Donald Trump against Iran. Gandhi wrote: ‘Just a few days after the killing of three Indian sailors in American attacks – no remorse, no apologies.’ He accused Modi and his allies of behaving like ‘obedient servants’ by not standing up to the Trump administration over the incident.
Statements by Indian Politicians
Indian politician Arvind Kejriwal, who previously held the position of Chief Minister of Delhi, promised that Trump would be ‘held accountable for the lost Indian lives’. Kejriwal called the US President a ‘cowardly, cold-blooded killer’, stating: ‘It’s a shame that Prime Minister Modi is silent. Soon India will have a strong prime minister who will make you pay for your sins.’
Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor drew attention to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who after the killings emphasized that all vessels operating around the Strait of Hormuz ‘must immediately comply with US forces’ orders’, or else they ‘risk becoming targets’. Tharoor wrote: ‘It’s deeply shocking to read this official US statement, which absolutely lacks any expression of regret or sympathy for the loss of innocent Indian lives.’ He asked: ‘How can a ‘friend’ and strategic partner be so deeply insensitive?’ Tharoor also noted that ‘almost every merchant vessel that passes through these critical waters has an Indian crew’, and asked if ‘they are all now considered legitimate targets for American missiles’.
The US Central Command stated last week that the vessel on which the three deceased Indian crew members were working had ‘repeatedly refused to comply with US forces’ instructions’. After the vessel’s refusal, US planes ‘fired precision-guided munitions at the ship’s engine room’.
Source: Asia Times