India's Strong Stance on Attacks Against Seafarers in Ukraine's Black Sea

India Condemns Attacks on Seafarers

New Delhi: On Thursday, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, focusing on the alarming situation regarding Indian seafarers.

Jaishankar expressed his relief at reconnecting with Sybiha after their respective travels, emphasizing the unacceptable nature of attacks on commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in the Black Sea. He condemned these actions unequivocally via a post on X.

During their discussion, Jaishankar received updates on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the status of peace talks, reiterating India's commitment to dialogue and diplomatic solutions.

He highlighted the precarious state of international relations, marked by various conflicts that are affecting fuel, fertilizer, and food security, particularly for nations in the Global South. Both officials agreed to maintain communication on these pressing issues.

The Indian Embassy in Ukraine reported on Wednesday that it is actively monitoring the situation of Indian seafarers stranded on a cargo vessel at Chornomorsk port, prioritizing their safety.

Indian officials are in contact with relevant authorities to ensure the well-being of all seafarers involved.

This situation has drawn attention from the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI), which noted that 13 Indian seafarers are among the 15 crew members trapped on the vessel amid ongoing drone and missile strikes near the strategic Black Sea port.

In response to the attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI, which resulted in the death of an Indian national, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Ukraine's Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, on Monday.

The Ministry expressed serious concerns regarding the incident and condemned such attacks on commercial shipping, stressing their detrimental effects on maritime safety, navigation freedom, and international trade.

The Ambassador was urged to relay India's strong objections to the Ukrainian authorities, emphasizing that targeting commercial vessels and endangering civilian lives is intolerable and must cease.