Can India protect its seafarers in Gulf?, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• India lodged a strong protest with the U.S. Embassy after U.S. missile attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf killed three Indian seafarers.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified the attacks, citing violations of the American blockade and illicit transport of Iranian oil.
• Three Indian seafarers died onboard the vessel Settebello after it was hit by U.S. Hellfire missiles.
• The U.S. Navy targeted three tankers—Marivex, Settebello, and Jalveer—all carrying Indian crew members.
• Approximately 3.5 lakh Indian seafarers work globally, with a significant number serving on foreign-flagged ships in the Gulf region.

Detailed Insights:

• The U.S. attacks occurred off the coasts of Duqm and Shinas in Oman, strategically located near the Strait of Hormuz.
• U.S. Central Command released videos showing precision strikes on the engine rooms and steering compartments of the vessels.
• The manager of Settebello, IOS Marine FZE, contradicted U.S. claims, stating the ship was stationary and had no connection to Iranian oil.
• Marivex was sanctioned by the U.S. in December 2025, and Settebello was flagged by United Against Nuclear Iran for alleged Iranian links.
• U.S. sanctions, while not universally binding, effectively restrict sanctioned ships' access to financial systems and insurance coverage.
• Many targeted vessels operate under Flags of Convenience (FOCs) from countries like Panama, often with underlying Indian ownership or management.
• India's options for protecting its seafarers are limited due to the direct involvement of the U.S. and Iran as belligerents in the region.
• The Indian Navy has previously undertaken Operation Sankalp and intervened against Houthis and Somalian pirates to protect merchant shipping.
• International maritime law, overseen by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), often proves insufficient due to unilateral national actions and non-ratification by key states.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Flags of Convenience (FOCs): Ship registration in countries with lax regulations, often to avoid stricter national rules or taxes.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO): A specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating global shipping.
• United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): An international treaty establishing a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities.
• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow, strategically important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
• Operation Sankalp: An Indian Navy operation launched to ensure the safety and security of Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.