New Delhi has summoned the United States ambassador to protest a military strike that killed an Indian sailor, escalating a diplomatic row that threatens to strain ties between the two allies. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Thursday that a civilian mariner was killed when a US naval vessel opened fire on a fishing boat in the Gulf of Oman earlier this week.
The sailor, identified as 32-year-old Ravi Kumar from the coastal state of Gujarat, was the sole fatality in the incident, which the US military described as a “warning shot” against a vessel that failed to respond to hails. Washington stated that its forces believed the boat posed a threat, but Indian officials have rejected this account, calling the strike “unjustified and disproportionate.”
In a strongly worded statement, India’s foreign secretary said the government had conveyed its “deep concern and anger” to the US chargé d’affaires, demanding a full investigation and accountability. “We expect our partners to exercise utmost restraint and respect for civilian lives,” the statement read. “The family of the deceased sailor has been assured that justice will be served. His last message to his mother was: ‘I will come home safely.’”
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties in New Delhi, with some calling for a review of joint naval exercises with the United States. However, analysts caution against overreaction. “India and the US share a comprehensive strategic partnership. This is a tragic accident, not a deliberate act,” said senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, Dr. Amrita Nair. “But the handling of the aftermath will test the maturity of both sides.”
London, meanwhile, has urged restraint. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issued a statement calling for “calm and de-escalation” between the two nations. “We regret the loss of life and encourage all parties to pursue a thorough investigation through established diplomatic channels,” a spokesperson said. The UK has offered to facilitate dialogue if requested.
The United States has expressed regret over the incident but defended its procedures. A Pentagon spokesperson said military personnel acted “in accordance with established rules of engagement” and that a full review is underway. “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased,” the spokesperson added.
The Gulf of Oman is a critical waterway for global oil shipments, and its waters have seen heightened tensions in recent years. The incident has raised questions about the safety of fishing vessels in areas where naval forces are active in counter-piracy and security operations.
India, a major naval power in the Indian Ocean region, has increasingly coordinated with the US Navy in joint patrols. But the killing has stirred nationalist sentiment at home. Social media hashtags demanding “Justice for Kumar” trended in India on Thursday.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Washington is keen to de-escalate before the incident damages broader bilateral ties, particularly in defence and technology shared under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). A US delegation is expected in New Delhi next week for scheduled talks, which may now include discussion of the strike.
The widow of Ravi Kumar, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity, said her husband had been a fisherman for 15 years. “He always said the sea was his mother. Now it has taken him,” she said. “I want the American government to admit it was wrong.”
