India summons US diplomat for 2nd time to protest strikes on ships

NEW DELHI, Jun 12: India summoned the US deputy chief of mission in Delhi on Friday to protest against ​US military strikes on commercial vessels off the coast ‌of Oman, an Indian source said, the second time in three days New Delhi has expressed its displeasure.

US deputy chief of mission to the country, ​Jason Meeks, was summoned by India for the first ​time on Wednesday following a US navy attack that ⁠killed three Indian sailors on Palau-flagged oil products tanker .

On ​Thursday, another 20-Indian crewed ship was attacked, with no deaths or ​injuries reported.

"MEA summoned Meeks to lodge a protest against attacks on commercial vessels off the Coast of Oman," the Indian source said, referring to ​the Ministry of External Affairs as the Indian foreign ministry ​is officially called.

"Yesterday, yet another vessel with 20 Indian crew on board came ‌under ⁠attack," the source added.

The US Embassy in New Delhi did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

New Delhi and Washington have developed a close, strategic partnership over the last two ​decades and India ​summoning a ⁠US diplomat to lodge a protest is rare.

The strong ties between the two countries have come ​under pressure during President Donald Trump's second term, ​battered by ⁠Washington's tariffs and engagement with New Delhi's rivals Pakistan and China.�" REUTERS