India on Friday summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks and lodged a strong protest over continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, incidents that have already claimed three Indian lives.The Ministry of External Affairs said a strong protest was conveyed to Meeks during the meeting with the Additional Secretary (Americas).“A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives,” the ministry said.MEA expressed “deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping” and said such actions were “unacceptable” as they undermine “the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time”.The US diplomat was also asked to convey India’s concerns to Washington and ensure that US forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to prevent further loss of civilian life.Friday’s démarche marks the second time in recent days that the US mission in New Delhi has been summoned by MEA over attacks on merchant vessels in the strategically important waters of the Gulf of Oman.The latest diplomatic protest came a day after another commercial vessel carrying 20 Indian crew members came under attack in the Gulf of Oman. The crew members are understood to be safe.The incident followed an earlier attack on a merchant vessel in which three Indian seafarers, initially reported missing, were later confirmed dead. Their deaths marked the first known Indian fatalities linked to the escalating maritime crisis in the region.Notably, the attacks have heightened concerns in New Delhi over the safety of lakhs of Indian seafarers employed aboard merchant ships traversing the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors.India has repeatedly stressed that civilian shipping and international trade routes must be protected and has called for the maintenance of safe and secure navigation in the region amid rising tensions.MEA reiterated that the use of force against civilian vessels was unacceptable and underscored the need to preserve the safety and stability of international maritime commerce.The latest exchange between New Delhi and Washington underscores India’s mounting concern over the impact of the crisis on its nationals and global shipping.