India protests to Russia after four Indian sailors killed in Black Sea ship attack

India on Tuesday summoned Russia's charge d'affaires and lodged a protest over the killing of four Indian seafarers aboard a Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant vessel that was struck off the coast of Ukraine.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told the Russian diplomat that the attack on the merchant vessel, in which the Indians died, was unacceptable. This marks the first deaths of Indian seafarers since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to official sources, the Indian government expressed deep concern over the safety of Indian nationals in conflict zones and reiterated the need for strict adherence to international law.