Maritime Security – India Raises Black Sea Seafarer Safety Concerns During Russia Meeting
Maritime Security – India renewed its concern over the safety of commercial shipping personnel operating in the Black Sea after the deaths of four Indian seafarers in a recent attack near Ukraine. The issue was discussed by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila, where both leaders also reviewed broader areas of cooperation between their countries.
India Highlights Safety of Seafarers
The meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related gatherings in the Philippine capital. According to Jaishankar, the discussion included a comprehensive review of India-Russia relations while placing special emphasis on the security of Indian nationals serving aboard merchant vessels in the Black Sea region.
In a statement shared after the talks, Jaishankar said India had once again conveyed its serious concern about the risks faced by Indian seafarers. Alongside the maritime issue, the ministers exchanged views on trade, investment, energy cooperation, transport connectivity, science and technology, and the movement of professionals between the two countries.
Diplomatic Response After Merchant Vessel Attack
The ministerial meeting followed India’s formal diplomatic protest over the deadly strike on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant ship MV Golden Leo. The attack, which occurred on Sunday off the Ukrainian coast, claimed the lives of ten crew members, including four Indian nationals.
A day before Jaishankar’s meeting with Lavrov, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Russia’s Charge d’Affaires, Vladimir Ladanov, to communicate India’s strong objection to the incident. During the meeting, Indian officials described the attack as unacceptable and stressed that commercial vessels and civilian lives must not become targets during armed conflicts.
The government also asked the Russian representative to convey India’s position directly to the relevant authorities in Moscow, underlining the need to prevent similar incidents in the future.
MEA Expresses Grave Concern
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing deep concern over the attack on MV Golden Leo, noting that violence against commercial shipping threatens the safety and stability of international maritime trade. The ministry said attacks involving civilian merchant vessels create serious risks for global shipping routes and put innocent lives in danger.
According to the official statement, India firmly opposed the targeting of commercial ships and emphasized that protecting civilian maritime operations remains essential for maintaining secure international trade networks.
First Reported Indian Seafarer Deaths in the Conflict
The deaths of the four Indian crew members are reported to be the first known fatalities involving Indian seafarers since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. The incident has drawn significant attention because thousands of Indian sailors serve on international merchant ships operating across major global trade routes.
The tragedy has renewed concerns about the challenges faced by civilian crews navigating waters affected by military activity. Industry observers have repeatedly warned that commercial vessels operating near conflict zones face increasing operational and security risks.
Broader Regional Issues Also Discussed
Apart from maritime safety, Jaishankar and Lavrov also exchanged perspectives on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the evolving situation in West Asia. The discussions reflected the broader diplomatic engagement between India and Russia on regional and international developments.
India has consistently maintained that lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomatic negotiations. New Delhi has repeatedly called for peaceful resolution of disputes while emphasizing respect for international law and the protection of civilian lives.
The latest diplomatic engagement underscores India’s continued effort to safeguard its citizens working overseas while maintaining communication with international partners on issues affecting regional security and global commerce.