An arrest that shook India-US relations, Devyani Khobragade Case when India and America came face to face.

In this blog, we'll explore how the Indian government's response to the recent US strike on an oil tanker that killed three Indian citizens, without naming the US, has sparked a new debate. Following this incident, many have begun comparing the foreign policies of the current government and the UPA government.

Critics and some on social media question why the current government appears to be avoiding naming the US in official statements even when Indian citizens died in US action.

We will also try to understand why the Devyani Khobragade incident of 2013 is being recalled once again. At that time, the treatment of an Indian diplomat in the United States created unprecedented tensions in India-US relations. India took a strong stance against the United States, publicly registering its protest and taking several diplomatic steps.

 Recently, due to the increasing tension between the US and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, an incident that took place on June 11, 2026, has caused deep concern in India.

 According to reports, three Indian crew members were killed in a US military strike on an oil tanker in waters off Oman on June 11, 2026. A total of 24 Indian sailors were reportedly aboard the tanker. Of these, 21 were rescued safely with Oman's assistance.

The US claimed the ship was violating sanctions and not following safety instructions. According to US officials, the ship had been warned several times and told to comply with safety instructions. 

The company stated that it and the ship's crew had not received any prior warnings from the US.

Indian government's response

Following the incident, the Government of India expressed its deepest condolences and contacted the affected families. The Ministry of External Affairs sought detailed information from the countries concerned and stated that the safety of Indian citizens was a top priority.

New Delhi expressed concern and condolences over the incident, but refrained from naming the US in an official statement.

Interestingly, this was not the first time that India, while criticising US action, refrained from naming the US in an official statement.

 Earlier in March 2026, when the Iranian Navy warship IRIS Dena came under US attack in the Indian Ocean, India did not directly name the US in its initial official statements.

A significant aspect of this incident is that the IRIS Dena was returning to Iran after participating in the International Fleet Review 2026 and the MILAN 2026 friendly naval exercises held in India.

At the time of the attack, the Iranian Navy warship IRIS Dena was carrying a total of 136 sailors. According to reports, 104 sailors were killed in the attack, while 32 were rescued alive. The most tragic fact is that the bodies of 20 of the deceased sailors have never been recovered.

Following India's recent press note, the Devyani Khobragade incident of December 2013 has once again come into focus. Many on social media are recalling the incident and comparing India's diplomatic response to that of the United States.

This incident took place when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was in power at the Centre and Dr. Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India.

The incident took place in December 2013 and became one of the biggest diplomatic disputes in India-US relations.

What happened?

Devyani Khobragade was then Deputy Consul General at the Indian Consulate in New York.

On December 12, 2013, US authorities arrested her on charges of visa fraud and submitting false documents. US prosecutors alleged that she had falsely stated in the visa application for her domestic helper, Sangeeta Richard, that she would be paid a salary in accordance with US law, but the actual payment was less than that.

Why did the controversy escalate?

After her arrest, Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed, strip searched and detained along with other accused.

She was released on the same day of her arrest on a personal bond of US$250,000 (approximately ₹1.5 crore). This bail amount was provided by the Government of India.


Devyani Khobragade's arrest and the treatment meted out to her (handcuffing and strip search) were seen as an issue of national honour in India. The Indian government described it as "unacceptable" and "disgraceful". The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the incident "deplorable".

In the Devyani Khobragade case (2013), India officially expressed strong objection and condemnation, naming the United States. At the time, the UPA government was in power at the center, and Dr. Manmohan Singh was Prime Minister.

 

In the Devyani Khobragade case, India had officially demanded a clear and unconditional apology from the US.

India's strong diplomatic response

The Indian government took several strong steps against the US such as:

The additional security barricades placed outside the US Embassy in New Delhi were removed with the help of bulldozers.

Certain privileges afforded to US diplomats were reviewed.
Investigations were initiated into the payroll and tax documents of US embassy staff.
Information regarding the identity cards of US diplomats was sought.

The ruling party and the opposition appeared almost unanimous on this issue.

In December 2013, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi refused to meet a US parliamentary delegation visiting India. At the same time, the Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, also refused to meet the US delegation.

Modi tweeted at the time that he had taken this decision "to protest the mistreatment of an Indian woman diplomat in the US and to show solidarity with the nation."

America's side

US officials said:
Devyani did not enjoy full diplomatic immunity,
she was accused of violating US labor and visa laws, and
she was subjected to the same procedures as in normal cases.

What happened next?

 
India transferred Devyani to the Indian mission to the United Nations in New York, granting her a high level of diplomatic immunity.
India recalled her, and the case in the US was dismissed on a technicality, but US prosecutors later refiled charges.

India indicated that

If Indian diplomats are not treated with respect abroad, India will respond on the same grounds.

It also strengthened the belief within the Indian Foreign Service that the government would protect their rights and dignity.





4. Limited Impact on Strategic Partnership

Although immediate tensions were high, both countries soon realized that
their long-term interests were intertwined: defense cooperation, counterterrorism partnership, trade, nuclear cooperation, and strategic challenges such as China's growing influence.

 
For this reason, after a few months both the countries started trying to normalize relations.

5. A lesson for America too

The incident also drew criticism within the United States. Many former US officials and experts believed the matter could have been handled more sensitively.

Former US Ambassador Robert D. Blackwill later said the incident damaged India-US relations and called it a "stupid" decision.

Following recent events, comparisons are being drawn between the 2013 Devyani Khobragade incident and the current Modi government's response. Many political analysts and social media users are questioning why, while the UPA government in 2013 responded sharply by naming the United States, India has refrained from officially naming the United States in recent incidents.

However, many believe that India should have officially registered its protest by naming the US in this matter.