โObey US military orders immediately. No violation will be tolerated,โ Rahul Gandhi said, quoting the tone of the American communication and calling it unacceptable for a sovereign country.
The controversy comes amid escalating diplomatic friction after India protested the deaths of three Indian sailors in US military actions targeting vessels off the coast of Oman. External affairs minister S. Jaishankar has already conveyed Indiaโs strong objection, stating that such lethal action against commercial shipping โcannot be justifiedโ and summoning US diplomatic representatives to lodge a formal protest.
The US, however, has maintained that all vessels must comply with instructions issued by its forces as part of efforts to enforce restrictions in the region and curb the transport of Iranian oil.
The Indian government has raised the issue at multiple levels, including a direct communication between Jaishankar and Rubio, while continuing to seek clarification over the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The developments have added strain to already sensitive geopolitical dynamics in West Asia, with maritime security and freedom of navigation emerging as flashpoints in the broader strategic contest in the region.
With PTI inputs
