Jaishankar to Ukraine: Attacks on commercial ships, Indian seafarers 'absolutely unacceptable'
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha that attacks on commercial vessels and Indian seafarers are 'absolutely unacceptable'. The statement came during a telephone conversation between the two ministers, amid a series of attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea region that have resulted in casualties among Indian crew members.
'Discussed attacks on commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in the Black Sea. Such attacks by any party are absolutely unacceptable and India condemns them unequivocally,' Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on social media platform X.
Mr. Sybiha attributed the escalation to Russia, stating that 'the consequences of Russian aggression extend far beyond Ukraine's borders'. He added that Russia's actions undermine freedom of navigation and global food security, and encouraged India to play an active role in peace efforts.
India has summoned the ambassadors of both Russia and Ukraine in recent days to express strong concerns over the attacks. On July 27, the Indian government summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk after reports that an Indian sailor was killed in an attack on the merchant vessel M.V. Omorfi on July 18. Earlier, on July 22, India summoned the Russian Charge d'Affaires over the bombing of M.V. Golden Leo, which left 10 seafarers dead, including four Indians.
The attacks have created a new security threat for Indian seafarers, as India is the second-largest supplier of maritime crew globally. In addition to the Omorfi and Golden Leo incidents, the M.V. AGN Ragnar was hit at the port of Odesa on July 25. Four Indian nationals were on board; two have been declared safe by the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, while two remain unaccounted for.
India has consistently called for a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has maintained a neutral stance, urging both parties to avoid targeting civilian infrastructure and personnel.
