India on Monday summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk following an attack on a merchant vessel near Ukraine's Odesa port that had four Indian nationals on board, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed. The diplomatic move comes days after New Delhi strongly condemned attacks on commercial shipping that have endangered Indian seafarers amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to the MEA, the ambassador was called to convey India's concerns over the safety of Indian citizens working aboard merchant vessels operating in the Black Sea region. The government reiterated that the protection of civilian seafarers and commercial shipping must remain a priority.
The latest diplomatic démarche follows an attack on a merchant vessel near Odesa, where four Indian crew members were on board. While the MEA did not immediately disclose further details about the condition of the Indian nationals, the incident has heightened concerns over the risks faced by Indian seafarers in conflict zones.
Earlier this month, India had also summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires after a separate missile strike on the merchant vessel Golden Leo killed four Indian nationals and left another critically injured. New Delhi condemned the attack, calling the targeting of commercial shipping and civilian crew "unacceptable" and warning that such incidents undermine the safety and stability of international maritime commerce.
India has consistently maintained that commercial vessels and innocent civilian crew members should not become targets in armed conflicts. The government has urged all parties involved in the Russia-Ukraine war to ensure the safety of international shipping routes and uphold the principles of freedom of navigation.
The MEA's latest action underscores New Delhi's growing diplomatic engagement to safeguard Indian citizens working in high-risk maritime regions, amid continuing hostilities in the Black Sea.
