The United States has said it will share with India transparently the results of its probe into the naval ship shooting incident that killed an Indian fisherman in UAE waters, even as the survivors disputed the Pentagon’s claim that they were forewarned.
Pentagon Press Secretary George Little had insisted that the naval ship had issued several warnings to the fishing boat in the Persian Gulf before it fired shots that killed an Indian fisherman and injured three others.
State Department spokesperson Patrick Ventrell, meanwhile, said the Department of Defence was conducting an investigation into the incident that has earlier been described as regrettable.
”... And we, of course, will work with our Indian counterparts and be as transparent as possible to provide them the results of our investigation once it’s finished,” Mr. Ventrell said in response to a question.
He said the Pentagon which is probing the matter will be in touch with the Indian officials.
The incident happened on Monday when a small fishing boat carrying six people —— four Indians and two Emiratis —— was fired upon by a security team onboard the US Navy vessel.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna termed the killing as “unfortunate” and said his ministry was in touch with its Ambassador in UAE, M K Lokesh, who has raised the issue with the UAE government.
Mr. Lokesh, on his part, disputed American claims and said the survivors’ account differs from that provided by the US Navy.
“According to the survivors, there were no warnings given to them,” Mr. Lokesh told PTI in Dubai.
“There are many versions of the incident. We have to wait for the details to emerge,” the ambassador said.
Mr. Little had said that the USNS Rappahannock had escalated warning measures in response to a “potential threat” posed by the vessel.
“Based on what we know now, a series of warning measures were issued to the oncoming vessel. Those warnings were not heeded, and the vessel was fired upon,” Mr. Little told reporters.
The fisherman who died was identified as Sekar of Periyapattinam in Ramanathapuram district. The injured — Muthu Muniraj (28), Muthu Kannan (35) and Pandu Sanadhan (26) — too hailed from Tamil Nadu.
“We certainly regret the loss of life in this incident.
There were in fact warning measures that were taken, based on what we know now. This is under investigation and we’ll know the full facts of this incident once that investigation is complete,” Mr. Little said.
Does the claim of US make any sense? No fishing vessel would speed towards a warship
inspite of warnings. This act seems to be part of a larger plot to monopolize the gulf region.
There is definitely a lot India could do diplomatically and strategically to bring justice to our
fishermen.
Countries should be black-listed, based on individual demerits - such as history of shooting incidents that occured in foreign territorial waters, loss of life, etc. and their shipping vessels should be denied future entry for all port visits. I am sure that the Port Authority of India and Naval Commands have all the powers to take appropriate steps and reciprocate the results of such incidents.
This is a very unfortunate and avoidable incident. It is hardly likely
that the UAE will bother to take any effective action against their
prime allies. India must insist on the US paying substantial
compensation to the injured and the families of the dead Indian
fishermen.
Mr.Krishna, the incident is not unfortunate, its outrageous. The US thinks it can trigger where ever it wants and get away with it.its time India to puts its foot down and question the US.
… series of warning measures were issued to the oncoming
vessel….warnings were not heeded…regret the loss of life in this
incident……. warning measures that were taken… under investigation
and we’ll know the full facts of this incident once that
investigation is complete.” Of course from the past experience we
know truth will never come out. Soon Dubai under pressure from
Americans will do a diplomatic dance avoiding truth. After all few
deaths of children of lesser God does not matter. Recall shooting
down and killing of 290 passengers and crew of Iran Air A300 Flight
655 a commercial flight by Iran Air from Bandar Abbas, Iran to
Dubai, UAE, on July 3, 1988, towards the end of the Iran-Iraq War.
It was shot down US guided missile cruiser Vincennes, an act of
criminal negligence mistaking the civil aircraft as an Iranian F-14
Tom Cat! US never acknowledged its culpability even though it was
proved beyond any doubt that Vincennes was in Iranian waters and
crew acted recklessly.
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