India summoned Ukraine’s ambassador to New Delhi on July 27 to express serious concern over an attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea that resulted in the death of an Indian national. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs called in Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk following the July 18 incident involving the MV Omorfi, a ship carrying three Indian crew members, one of whom was killed in the attack.

In an official statement, the Indian foreign ministry condemned the attack in the strongest terms and highlighted the risk such actions pose to the lives of innocent civilian seafarers. Ambassador Polishchuk was urged to convey to Kyiv that attacks on commercial shipping must be avoided to prevent endangering civilian lives.

This meeting follows a similar diplomatic protest last week when India summoned the Russian envoy in response to an attack on a cargo vessel departing from Ukraine’s port of Odessa. That incident resulted in the deaths of four Indian nationals. The Ministry reiterated that the safety of Indian seafarers involved in international maritime trade must be protected amid ongoing hostilities.

In light of these recent events, New Delhi has issued a series of security warnings to ships flying Indian flags or employing Indian seafarers that are transiting the Black Sea. The ministry also noted that fourteen Indian seafarers have lost their lives in attacks on commercial vessels amid conflicts in the Middle East region.

The incidents underscore the broader dangers faced by civilian maritime operations in conflict zones, as India continues to advocate for the protection of its citizens working at sea. Both Ukraine and Russia are engaged in ongoing hostilities in and around the Black Sea, a key international shipping route, resulting in heightened risks for commercial vessels navigating these waters. India’s diplomatic démarches reflect efforts to hold parties accountable and ensure safer passage for its nationals involved in global maritime commerce.