MEA summons Ukraine ambassador, condemns attacks on commercial ships in Black Sea

The Ministry of External Affairs on Monday summoned the Ukrainian ambassador to India in connection with the attack on a commercial ship on July 18, in which one Indian was killed.

The attack took place when the vessel, MV OMORFI, was reportedly transiting through Russian territorial waters in the Black Sea, the ministry said on Friday.

The ministry said that it conveyed its “serious concern” about the attack to Ukrainian ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk and condemned attacks on commercial shipping.

The ministry also highlighted the adverse impact of attacks on commercial vessels on maritime safety, freedom of navigation and international trade.

“The ambassador was requested to convey to the Ukrainian authorities India’s strong concerns over the targeting of commercial vessels”, the ministry said. It reiterated that actions which endanger the lives of civilian seafarers are “unacceptable” and must be avoided.

This comes after a ship with four Indians onboard was struck by a projectile at the port of Odesa in Ukraine on Saturday.

While two of the Indian seafarers are safe, “information is awaited regarding the other two”, said the Indian Embassy in Kyiv on Sunday.

On July 19, four Indians were killed and one critically injured after a cargo ship was attacked while it departed the port of Odesa. The five Indians were among the 17 crew on board the ship.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha...

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