India Raises Black Sea Seafarers Safety Issue with Russia

India raised concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

India has once again expressed serious concern over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the Black Sea region amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar raised the issue during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday, emphasizing the need to ensure the security of Indian nationals working in conflict-affected maritime zones.

The high-level meeting took place in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, on the sidelines of ASEAN-related engagements. During their discussions, the two leaders reviewed a wide range of issues concerning India-Russia bilateral relations, including trade, investment, energy cooperation, regional security, and the evolving situation in Ukraine. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar specifically conveyed New Delhi’s concerns regarding the safety of Indian crew members serving aboard commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea.

The discussions gained particular significance following a recent incident in which four Indian crew members were killed after a Russian airstrike reportedly hit a Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial cargo vessel near the Ukrainian coast. The attack highlighted the growing risks faced by civilian merchant ships navigating waters affected by the ongoing conflict. India has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and reaffirmed that the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad remain a top priority.

Following the incident, the Indian government lodged a formal protest through diplomatic channels. Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned Vladimir Ladanov, the acting head of the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, to convey India’s serious concerns regarding the attack. During the meeting, Indian officials stressed the importance of protecting civilians, including foreign nationals working in conflict zones, and urged that every possible measure be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

India has consistently maintained that the Russia-Ukraine conflict should be resolved through diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful negotiations rather than military action. Since the beginning of the conflict, New Delhi has sought to maintain balanced relations with both Moscow and Kyiv while repeatedly calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomatic engagement. India has also emphasized respect for international law and the importance of safeguarding civilian lives.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the government continues to closely monitor the safety of Indian citizens residing or working in conflict-affected regions. Indian diplomatic missions remain in regular contact with local authorities and relevant agencies to provide assistance whenever necessary. Officials have stated that appropriate diplomatic interventions are undertaken whenever the security of Indian nationals is threatened.

The deaths of the four Indian seafarers have brought renewed attention to the challenges faced by merchant shipping crews operating in areas impacted by armed conflict. Commercial vessels continue to navigate routes in and around the Black Sea, an important corridor for global trade, despite heightened security risks resulting from ongoing military operations.

Foreign policy analysts believe that raising the issue directly with the Russian leadership reflects India’s proactive diplomatic approach in safeguarding its citizens overseas. They note that discussions on the security of Indian seafarers have become increasingly important as hostilities continue to affect civilian maritime operations in the region.

The meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov also reaffirmed the broader strategic partnership between India and Russia, with both sides reviewing cooperation across multiple sectors while addressing regional and international developments. Although no specific announcements regarding additional safety measures were made public, the dialogue underscored India’s expectation that the security of civilian maritime personnel should be protected irrespective of the conflict.

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, India is expected to maintain close diplomatic engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety of its citizens and seafarers working in high-risk areas. Officials have indicated that the government will continue monitoring developments closely and remain prepared to take further diplomatic steps whenever required to protect Indian nationals abroad.