Editorial

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent conversation with US officials, coupled with India’s strong diplomatic protest over attacks on Indian-crewed tankers in the Gulf of Oman, underscores a critical reality: India will not remain passive when the lives of its citizens are endangered in distant conflicts. The strikes, particularly on the Palau-flagged MT Settebello, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers, represent a tragic escalation in the US-led enforcement of its blockade on Iranian shipping. With multiple vessels targeted in quick succession—including the Marivex and Jalveer—dozens of Indian sailors have faced peril, rescued largely by Omani forces.

India’s seafaring community, numbering over 250,000 globally, forms the backbone of international maritime trade. Thousands operate in high-risk waters like the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz, vital arteries for India’s energy imports. The loss of even a single sailor is unacceptable, especially when they are collateral in a conflict not of India’s making. By summoning the US Chargé d’Affaires twice and demanding an immediate end to strikes on commercial shipping, New Delhi has sent a clear message: civilian mariners and neutral vessels must be protected under international norms. Freedom of navigation is a cornerstone of global trade; indiscriminate or lethal force against non-combatant shipping risks undermining it.

The broader context is the ongoing US-Iran tensions. Washington justifies its actions as necessary to curb Iranian oil exports and enforce sanctions. Yet, the human cost—Indian families grieving loved ones who were simply doing their jobs—highlights the perils of militarized blockades. India maintains strong ties with both the US and Gulf nations while pursuing energy security and strategic autonomy. This incident tests that balance. Jaishankar’s engagement reflects mature diplomacy: protesting firmly without severing dialogue.

Economically, disruptions in these waters threaten oil price volatility and supply chains that India can ill afford. Strategically, the episodes expose vulnerabilities for nations reliant on foreign-flagged vessels. India must accelerate efforts to enhance seafarer protections—better routing advisories, insurance safeguards, rapid response mechanisms with partners like Oman, and perhaps greater advocacy at the International Maritime Organization.

This episode is a sobering reminder that in an interconnected world, distant wars have direct Indian casualties. New Delhi’s response strikes the right chord: resolute defence of its people’s safety while calling for de-escalation and respect for international law. As tensions persist, India should continue leveraging its growing global influence to push for safe passage corridors and diplomatic off-ramps. The lives of its seafarers—and the stability of global commerce—demand nothing less.

Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s declaration of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as the party’s face for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, coupled with hints of possible early polls in November 2026, marks a proactive shift in the state’s political landscape. Riding high on a dominant performance in the recent municipal elections—where AAP secured around 958 of 1,977 wards across corporations, councils, and panchayats—Kejriwal has framed the move as a natural extension of public endorsement for “honest governance” and welfare schemes.

The timing is strategic. With the municipal results fresh, AAP is projecting continuity and momentum. Key achievements highlighted include free electricity benefiting over 90% of households (up to 300-600 units), Aam Aadmi Clinics and health cards offering up to ₹10 lakh coverage per family, improved daytime power for farmers, and recruitment of thousands of youth on merit. These populist measures have resonated in urban pockets, helping AAP counter opposition narratives of governance lapses or central agency actions. Kejriwal’s call to workers to prepare for a shortened four-month campaign underscores confidence in pro-incumbency.

Yet, questions remain. Punjab’s electorate has historically swung on issues beyond freebies—agrarian distress, unemployment, drug menace, and sacrilege cases continue to simmer. While Mann’s government claims transparency in jobs and development focus, critics point to persistent challenges in law and order, industrial revival, and fiscal sustainability of welfare programs. Declaring a CM face early consolidates internal unity but also hands opposition parties (Congress, SAD-BJP) a clear target well in advance.

The hint of early elections adds intrigue. Whether driven by internal intelligence or a desire to capitalize on current goodwill before anti-incumbency sets in, advancing polls risks disrupting administrative momentum. Punjab’s voters, battle-hardened by decades of political volatility, will ultimately judge whether four years of AAP rule have delivered transformative change or merely temporary relief.

Kejriwal and Mann’s roadshows signal aggressive campaigning ahead. For AAP, this is a bid to replicate its 2022 landslide by converting welfare delivery into votes. For Punjab, the coming months will test if populist continuity can address deep-rooted structural issues. The real contest will hinge not just on schemes like free power and health cards, but on delivering jobs, security, and economic revival that outlast electoral cycles.

In a state weary of broken promises, early declaration of leadership is a bold statement. Whether it translates into a renewed mandate depends on how convincingly AAP bridges the gap between announcements and on-ground outcomes.

• SAS Kirmani