India Says Cargo Ship Hit in Black Sea Was Carrying Grain, Not Military Supplies
India has clarified that a cargo ship struck by Russian forces in the Black Sea, which resulted in the deaths of four Indian crew members, was carrying grain and not military supplies, as Moscow had suggested.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the vessel was transporting grain at the time of the attack. The clarification comes after Russian officials indicated that the ship was targeted because it was believed to be carrying military supplies for Ukraine.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar raised the issue of the targeting of ships and the killing of Indian seafarers during a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Meanwhile, India summoned a senior Russian diplomat in New Delhi to lodge a formal protest over the incident.
The Kremlin earlier defended the missile strike, stating that Russian forces would continue to target vessels they suspect of carrying military supplies for Ukraine. However, India has stressed that the ship was engaged in legitimate commercial activity, transporting grain.
The incident highlights the risks faced by merchant vessels in the Black Sea region amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. India has called for the protection of civilian seafarers and adherence to international maritime laws.
