MEA summons Ukrainian ambassador Dr Oleksandr Polishchuk over attacks on merchant vessels with Indian crew
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk following an attack on a merchant vessel carrying Indian crew members, according
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk following an attack on a merchant vessel carrying Indian crew members, according The move comes after a ship with four Indian nationals on board was struck at Ukraine's Odesa port on Saturday. India's Foreign Ministry said the Ukrainian ambassador has been asked to convey New Delhi's “strong concerns” to the Ukrainian authorities over the targeting of commercial vessels, reported Reuters. The development follows another recent incident in which four Indian seafarers were killed after the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo was hit in a Russian attack. In response, the MEA summoned Russian chargé d'affaires Vladimir Ladanov on Tuesday. Television crews captured his arrival at the ministry, as the Russian envoy was not in New Delhi at the time.
Ladanov was called in because the Russian ambassador was away from the Indian capital. Vessel struck at Ukraine's Odesa port A merchant vessel with four Indian nationals on board was hit at Ukraine's Port of Odesa, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv said on Sunday, as per PTI. While two crew members have been confirmed safe, the status of the remaining two is yet to be ascertained. Also Read | Ukraine's Zelensky sacks military chief Syrskyi following public pressure The attack took place on Saturday when MV AGN Ragnar was struck at the Port of Odesa, a strategic Black Sea port that has been repeatedly targeted since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022. Indian Embassy reacts In its statement, the Indian Embassy said it was closely monitoring the developments surrounding the incident.
Also Read | Ukraine's Zelensky sacks military chief Syrskyi following public pressure The Indian Embassy said four Indian nationals were on board the vessel when it came under attack. It added that search and rescue operations are in progress and that the mission is in continuous contact with the relevant authorities to determine the whereabouts of the missing crew members and provide all possible assistance. The identities of the four Indian nationals and their specific roles on the ship have also not been disclosed. What DGMA said The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has urged Indian-flagged vessels, as well as foreign ships carrying Indian seafarers, to maintain the highest level of vigilance while operating in the Black Sea. It has also advised ship operators to conduct voyage-specific security risk assessments before entering the conflict-affected waters.
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