Govt summons Ukrainian ambassador after Indian sailor killed in Black Sea strike
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday summoned Ukraine's Ambassador to New Delhi, Oleksandr Polishchuk, after an Indian seafarer was killed in a strike
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday summoned Ukraine's Ambassador to New Delhi, Oleksandr Polishchuk, after an Indian seafarer was killed in a strike on merchant vessel MV OMORFI in the Black Sea. During the meeting, the MEA condemned attacks on commercial vessels "in the strongest terms" and said such incidents threaten maritime safety, freedom of navigation and global trade. It also urged Kyiv to prevent actions that put innocent civilian seafarers at risk. Read Full Story The sailor killed in the July 18 attack was identified by the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) as Chief Officer Sagar Gupta. This comes amid a series of attacks on merchant ships operating in and around the Black Sea, where security has sharply deteriorated as the Russia-Ukraine war continues. INDIA CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON COMMERCIAL SHIPPING In a statement, the MEA said, "The Ministry conveyed its serious concern over the incident and condemned such attacks on commercial shipping in the strongest terms, underscoring their adverse impact on the safety of maritime navigation, freedom of navigation, and international commerce." The ministry said the Ukrainian Ambassador was asked to communicate India's position to authorities in Kyiv. "The Ambassador was requested to convey to the Ukrainian authorities India's strong concerns over the targeting of commercial vessels and reiterated that such actions, which endanger the lives of innocent civilian seafarers, are unacceptable and must be avoided." ANOTHER SHIP HIT OFF ODESA India's diplomatic intervention came even as another incident involving Indian nationals unfolded in the Black Sea.
On Sunday, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine said merchant vessel MV AGN Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals, was hit at the Port of Odesa on July 25. While two sailors have been confirmed safe, information about the other two is still awaited. Search and rescue efforts are continuing, and the embassy said it remains in constant touch with the relevant Ukrainian authorities. Earlier this month, another merchant vessel, MV Golden Leo, came under attack while departing the Port of Odesa. Four Indian nationals were killed and one was critically injured in that strike, marking one of the deadliest incidents involving Indian merchant sailors since the conflict intensified. UKRAINE EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES Hours before the envoy was summoned, the Embassy of Ukraine in India issued a statement extending condolences over the deaths of Indian seafarers and confirmed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The embassy said Sybiha had sent a letter conveying condolences over the loss of Indian lives amid the deteriorating security situation in the Black Sea. "In addition to the letter of condolence addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr. Andrii Sybiha, to the Minister of External Affairs of India, Dr. S.
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