Father of slain Indian sailor urges Prime Minister Modi to press the United States for answers

When the oil tanker MT Settebello was struck by a missile in the volatile waters of the Strait of Hormuz last month, three Indian seafarers lost their lives. Among them was 23‑year‑old Aditya Sharma, a fresh deck cadet who had only begun his career in the Merchant Navy a few months earlier. His father, Rajesh Sharma, has now stepped into the public arena, pleading with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take the matter to Washington and demand accountability.

Speaking to a reporter from ANI after a meeting with Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla, Rajesh Sharma said the family’s priority is justice, not compensation. “Our son was on an unarmed civilian ship. He had nothing to do with the conflict that rages in that region,” he told the journalist, his voice wavering. “A missile hit the vessel and killed him, along with two other Indian crew members. Yet more than a month has passed and we have seen no inquiry report, no public findings, no one held responsible.”

The bereaved father recounted the moments leading up to the tragedy. He remembered how Aditya had called his mother the day before the attack, talking about finishing his training and looking forward to a homecoming in July. “He was our only child. We spoke almost every day. The night of the strike we waited for his message, but it never came. By midnight we learned he had died,” Rajesh said, choking back tears.

According to the ship’s manager, UAE‑based IOS Marine, the vessel was sailing under the flag of Palau when it was hit. While 21 Indian crew members were rescued, Aditya and two others perished. IOS Marine has called for an independent international probe, insisting that the ship never received any warning before the missile struck.

In the meantime, the Sharma family feels abandoned by the central authorities. “The only help we have received is from the Merchant Navy welfare association,” Rajesh explained. “The central government has not reached out. We are not after money; no compensation can replace a son.” He added that merchant‑navy unions have written to the Prime Minister asking for a meeting with the families, but they have not heard back.

Seeking a political ally, the family approached Himachal Pradesh’s chief minister. Sukhu expressed condolences and promised to raise the issue with the Union cabinet during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. “He assured us he would write to the Centre asking for details of any action taken and would push for justice for the fallen sailors,” Rajesh said.

Beyond domestic channels, the father’s appeal is aimed at the United States, which, according to him, bears a degree of responsibility for the environment that allowed the strike to happen. “Our demand is simple,” he said. “The government of India must press the United States strongly and ensure those responsible are held to account.”

The incident has reignited debates about the safety of civilian vessels transiting one of the world’s most contested choke points. While naval forces from several nations, including the US, maintain a presence in the Gulf, the rules of engagement for commercial ships remain murky. Many industry experts argue that clearer protocols and real‑time warning systems are essential to prevent further loss of life.

For the Sharmas, however, the abstract discussions about maritime security do little to ease their grief. “We want the truth, we want accountability, and we want the world to know that our son died while doing his duty,” Rajesh concluded, his eyes fixed on the horizon as if hoping to see his boy return.