Congress Slams PM’s Silence, Rejects Rubio Remarks
Congress Asks Modi to Raise Mariners’ Death Issue
New Delhi – Congress Attacks Modi Government Over ‘Silence’ on Indian Mariners’ Deaths in U.S. Strike, Rubio’s ‘Threatening’ Language
A political storm erupted in India on Monday as the opposition Congress party accused the Narendra Modi government of failing to defend the nation’s sovereignty and dignity following the deaths of three Indian mariners in a U.S. The controversy was further inflamed by a readout of a conversation between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in which Washington reportedly used language that Congress described as “threatening” and “unacceptable.”
The three Indian sailors were killed last week when U.S. forces struck a commercial vessel allegedly attempting to breach the American naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. While the U.S. has maintained that the vessel was involved in the illicit transport of Iranian oil in violation of international sanctions, India has yet to receive an official expression of regret or apology from Washington, according to opposition leaders.
The situation escalated after Secretary Rubio’s office released a statement detailing his conversation with Jaishankar. The statement stressed that all commercial vessels must “immediately comply” with instructions from U.S. forces operating in the region and warned that violations of the blockade — as well as the illicit transport of Iranian oil — would not be tolerated. The language, which made no mention of the loss of Indian lives, has been met with sharp criticism in New Delhi.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a blistering attack on the Prime Minister, accusing him of remaining silent in the face of what he called “overbearing” language from the United States. In a post on X, Mr. Compromised PM will not defend the country’s honour — because those who insult the country are under their control.”
The Congress party questioned the government’s “silence” over the deaths of the three mariners, demanding a full statement in Parliament and a formal diplomatic protest against the United States. Party spokespersons also raised concerns about India’s strategic autonomy, arguing that the Modi government’s close ties with Washington — particularly in the context of the Quad alliance and defense partnerships — had left New Delhi unwilling to speak out when American actions harmed Indian citizens.
“Heading to a G-7 meeting where he will shake hands with President Trump, our Prime Minister has forgotten the families of three dead sailors,” said a senior Congress leader, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Where is the outrage? Where is the demand for accountability?”
Official sources indicated that the Ministry of External Affairs is in touch with U.S. authorities but offered no further comment. The timing is particularly sensitive, as Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G-7 summit in France next week. That meeting — intended to showcase deepening Indo-U.S. ties — now carries the potential for awkward questions about the incident and the Rubio-Jaishankar conversation.
Diplomatic observers noted that while the U.S. statement did not explicitly threaten India, its tone — emphasizing compliance and warning of consequences — was unusually blunt for a conversation between two strategic partners. “The language was transactional, not empathetic,” said one former Indian diplomat. “That is what has stung New Delhi.”
As opposition protests grow, the government faces mounting pressure to clarify its position — both on the deaths of the three mariners and on whether it accepts the U.S. characterization of the vessel’s activities. For now, the Congress party has signaled it will not let the issue subside before the G-7 meeting.