Indian Opposition Blasts Modi Over US Sailor Killings
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- Three Indian sailors were killed by US missile strikes on commercial oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman last week as part of US military operations against Iran, with the US subsequently refusing to apologize for the deaths.
- Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition National Congress Party, accused PM Modi of acting like "an obedient servant" by not confronting the Trump administration, writing that the killings drew "no remorse, no apology."
- Arvind Kejriwal, the former chief minister of Delhi, labeled Trump "a cowardly, cold-blooded murderer" and vowed Trump "will be held accountable for the Indian lives lost," adding that "soon, India will have a strong prime minister who will make you pay for your misdeeds."
- Shashi Tharoor, a Member of Parliament, condemned Secretary of State Marco Rubio's directive that ships in the area must comply with US orders or risk becoming targets, noting the statement contained "absolutely no expression of regret or condolence" for lost Indian lives.
- Tharoor warned that "practically every merchant ship navigating these crucial waters has Indian crew on board," asking whether they are "all considered fair game for US missiles now."
- US Central Command claimed the targeted ship "repeatedly refused to comply with directions from American forces," after which US aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship's engine room.
Why it matters: Opposition leaders from at least three rival parties are publicly hammering Modi for deference to Washington, framing the BJP as willing to sacrifice Indian lives to preserve ties with Trump — a politically toxic line ahead of upcoming elections. The dispute also exposes the scale of India's exposure in the Strait of Hormuz, where Tharoor notes Indian crew ride on virtually every merchant vessel navigating the corridor.
