Can India protect its seafarers in the Gulf? | Explained (opens original article in a new tab)

The U.S. Navy attacked merchant vessels in the Gulf, killing three Indian seafarers, raising concerns about the safety of Indian workers on foreign-flagged ships amid limited protection options.

• U.S. Navy attacked three merchant vessels with Hellfire missiles, killing three Indian seafarers on the Settebello
• Over 23,000 Indian seafarers are working in the Gulf region, with many on foreign-flagged ships
• India's options to protect seafarers are limited due to U.S.-Iran conflict and reliance on foreign-flagged vessels
• International maritime law lacks enforcement power, with nations often taking unilateral actions