New Delhi, 14 June (H.S.): The Congress on Sunday questioned the Centre’s response to the deaths of Indian seafarers in an incident near the coast of Oman and urged the government to seek a formal apology from the United States while ensuring accountability for the loss of Indian lives.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi on Sunday, Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera said the government should have adopted a firmer and more explicit position in dealing with the matter. He argued that incidents resulting in the deaths of Indian citizens warrant a stronger diplomatic response and greater accountability from those responsible.

Khera referred to the official statements issued after the conversation between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, claiming that the language used did not reflect the seriousness of the situation. According to him, a more robust stance was expected from the Indian side given the loss of Indian lives.

The Congress leader also cited provisions of international law governing armed conflicts at sea. Referring to the San Remo Manual and the Geneva Conventions, he said commercial vessels belonging to a third country should not be targeted during armed conflicts. He stressed that responsibility must be established and those accountable should be held answerable for their actions.

Khera said that since India had lost its citizens in the incident, the Centre should formally demand an apology from the United States, seek an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, and ensure accountability. He maintained that the government’s response appeared relatively restrained despite the gravity of the matter.

Emphasising the importance of protecting Indians working overseas, Khera said ensuring their safety and dignity remains a key responsibility of the government. He urged New Delhi to raise the issue strongly at international forums and take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Congress party also called for greater transparency in the handling of the case, asserting that matters involving the loss of Indian lives require proactive and effective diplomatic engagement aimed at securing justice and accountability.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar