New Delhi Urges Calm Following Four Vessel Strikes in Black Sea

New Delhi has pressed for peace talks and peaceful methods to reduce hostility after four transport vessels carrying Indian crew members faced assaults in the Black Sea within a day and a half. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that strikes on cargo transport and maritime workers must halt immediately to restore safe movement on international water routes.

Vessel Incidents

The cargo vessel MV Royad Mammadov faced an assault while sailing through the sea, with three Indian citizens on board. One worker sustained injuries and received medical care, while the Indian embassy in Romania monitors the situation. Another vessel carrying the Togo flag, named Alfa Watan, suffered an assault where the condition of the workers remains unknown. A third ship, the Palau-registered MV ABLE, survived a drone strike involving eighteen total crew members, including seven Indians. One Indian citizen got hurt in this incident and remains under medical care with support from the mission in Bulgaria. The fourth vessel, an oil carrier named Aframax Rio under the Liberia flag, faced a strike by drone boats near the Russian coastal city of Sochi. Russian transport officials confirmed that all twenty-three Indian crew members aboard this oil tanker were rescued safely without any injuries.

Diplomatic Efforts

Addressing proposals to settle the ongoing dispute, the external affairs ministry reiterated its stance that talks offer the only way forward. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted that the nation has stepped up efforts by talking to leaders in both Kyiv and Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged New Delhi's willingness to help resolve the situation, expressing gratitude for these contributions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha earlier called the Indian ceasefire proposal the most comprehensive among four options received by Kyiv, noting readiness to discuss energy and maritime pauses.

Context

The Black Sea serves as a crucial corridor for moving goods and oil between Eastern Europe and global markets, making shipping safety vital for international trade. Ongoing military conflict in the region has repeatedly disrupted commercial navigation, drawing concern from governments whose citizens work on these merchant ships.