India Russia Ukraine

India has condemned attacks on four commercial vessels in the Black Sea over a 48-hour period, saying the incidents endangered seafarers and left two Indian crew members injured. The Ministry of External Affairs said Indian nationals aboard three of the ships had been rescued, while the status of the crew of a fourth vessel, the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, remained unknown.

Speaking at a bi-weekly press conference, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping. He said the incidents involved the MV Royad Mammadov, Alfa Watan, the Palau-flagged MV ABLE and the Liberian-flagged oil tanker Aframax Rio.

“We have seen a string of attacks in the Black Sea region in the last one or two days. We condemn such attacks that threaten commercial shipping and endanger the lives of our seafaring community,” Jaiswal said.

Three Indian nationals were aboard the MV Royad Mammadov when it was attacked, according to Jaiswal. All three were rescued, although one Indian crew member was injured and is receiving treatment.

Jaiswal said Alfa Watan was the second vessel attacked. The Togo-flagged ship came under attack the previous day, and the fate of those on board was not known at the time of his briefing.

The Palau-flagged MV ABLE was hit in a drone attack. Its 18 crew members, including seven Indians, were rescued, Jaiswal said. One of the Indian nationals was injured and was receiving medical assistance and supervision.

The fourth vessel was Aframax Rio, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker staffed entirely by Indians. “All 23 crew members on board this particular ship were Indian nationals, and all of them have been rescued,” Jaiswal said.

India calls for dialogue on Russia-Ukraine war

The ministry linked the concerns over Black Sea shipping to India’s wider position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Jaiswal said New Delhi remains in contact with both Moscow and Kyiv and continues to argue that dialogue and diplomacy, rather than fighting, offer the way forward.

“On the issue, India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. We are aware of our position. Prime Minister on multiple occasions has expressed that the time has come for ‘endless war to give way to an end to war’,” he said.

India has engaged both Russia and Ukraine in pursuit of peace, Jaiswal added, saying that engagement had been appreciated by both sides. He said the discussions also cover Black Sea shipping safety, immediate Russian and Ukrainian concerns over grain and energy exports, and possibilities for avoiding attacks.

“We are trying to be helpful; India is trying to be helpful, starting with the Black Sea safety of shipping issue, addressing immediate concerns of Russia and Ukraine on grain and energy exports and non-attack possibilities,” Jaiswal said. “We have ongoing conversations with both Russia and Ukraine on this particular matter.”

Commercial shipping and maritime infrastructure in the Black Sea have faced attacks since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022. In recent days, Moscow has struck grain carriers transporting Ukrainian agricultural products near Romania, while Kyiv has said its attacks on Russian petroleum infrastructure are a response to nightly aerial bombardments of Ukrainian cities.

Both sides have said they will intensify military operations in recent weeks, raising concerns over the security of commercial vessels operating in the region.

Separately, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said India had formally offered to help resolve the conflict. According to Sybiha, Kyiv was assessing four international proposals, including those from India, Turkey, Egypt and the United States, and regarded India’s as “the most comprehensive” proposal under review.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts toward a settlement, saying the Indian leader has “good ideas” for a peaceful resolution.

Source: Khaleej Times