Beijing's response to the incident in Belgrade could serve as a model for New Delhi, though some analysts caution that it confronts a markedly different set of challenges.
The visuals were impossible to overlook. A widely shared video depicted the corpse of a 35-year-old Indian mariner aboard a ship off the coast of Oman, as crew members resorted to cold water bottles in a frantic effort to slow the process of decay.
He had passed away last Thursday due to medical issues, yet no assistance could be dispatched, nor could he be evacuated from the vessel, owing to the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.
During the same week, US attacks disabled two additional ships crewed by Indians, though all individuals onboard survived.
These events have sparked mounting fury in India and raised concerns about its capacity to effectively counter American actions.
Tensions were further inflamed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s reply to India’s objections. He provided no apology, instead cautioning vessels not to defy "directives" from the United States Navy.
Approximately 18,000 Indian sailors are said to be in the broader Gulf region.