‘Absolutely unacceptable’: EAM Jaishankar discusses attacks on Indian seafarers with Ukraine Foreign Minister

By R Anil Kumar

• Jaishankar raises safety of Indian seafarers with Ukraine foreign minister condemns attacks on black sea Shipping

• The conversation comes against the backdrop of a series of attacks on merchant vessels involving Indian crew members, including recent strikes near the Ukrainian ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk

Bengaluru. India on July 30, condemned attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea following the death of an Indian seafarer, with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar reiterating that such attacks are “absolutely unacceptable” and urging greater emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the ongoing conflict.

In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said he spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha after their recent overseas engagements and discussed attacks on commercial shipping and Indian seafarers operating in the Black Sea.

“Such attacks by any party are absolutely unacceptable and India condemns them unequivocally,” EAM Jaishankar said, adding that he was briefed on recent developments related to the Ukraine conflict and ongoing peace negotiations.

The External Affairs Minister reiterated India’s consistent position in favour of dialogue and diplomacy, while highlighting that multiple conflicts across different regions have made the global situation increasingly fragile.

He noted that these conflicts are affecting fuel, fertiliser and food security, particularly for countries of the Global South. The two leaders also agreed to remain in touch.

On July 27, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, over the attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI, which claimed the life of an Indian national.

During the meeting, India conveyed its serious concern over the incident and strongly condemned attacks on commercial shipping, stating that such actions undermine the safety of maritime navigation, freedom of navigation and international commerce.

The MEA requested the Ukrainian envoy to convey India’s concerns to the Ukrainian authorities and stressed that attacks endangering the lives of innocent civilian seafarers are unacceptable and must be avoided.

On July 26, the MEA issued an advisory for Indian nationals considering employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea region.

The advisory noted that the security environment in and around the Black Sea remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict, with commercial vessels facing increasing risks from missile and drone attacks. Since April 2026, attacks on commercial ships in the region have intensified, resulting in the deaths of five Indian nationals.

The MEA advised Indian seafarers to carefully assess security risks before accepting assignments in the conflict-affected region.

Prospective crew members have been asked to obtain detailed information from employers and recruitment agencies regarding vessel routes, ports of call, onboard security arrangements, insurance coverage and emergency response procedures. They have also been advised to ensure that employment contracts provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in case of emergencies.

The advisory further urged Indian nationals to keep their families informed about their travel plans, maintain regular communication and closely follow advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and other Government of India authorities, along with safety instructions issued by vessel operators and maritime authorities.

The MEA has advised Indian nationals requiring assistance to contact the Indian Embassy or Consulates in the region through the designated emergency helplines.