External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday said he conveyed to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers should be avoided under any circumstances.
Taking to X, Jaishankar posted, "Had a tele-conversation with FM @araghchi of Iran this evening. Conveyed our deep concerns at the ongoing hostilities in the region."
"Strongly urged that attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers be avoided under any circumstance. India condemns any such attack by any party," he added.
At least 10 seafarers have lost their lives in the Middle East conflict in attacks by either Iran or the USA.
The minister added that he was apprised of Iran's perspective of the current developments and that discussion are under way. "India is always supportive of dialogue and diplomacy," he said.
This comes a day after Jaishankar spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha and informed him that attacks on commercial shipping and Indian seafarers in Black Sea by any party are "absolutely unacceptable and India condemns them unequivocally".
An Indian seafarer was killed in an Ukrainian drone attack on merchant vessel MV Omorfi in the Black Sea.
In total, five Indian seafarers have died and two more reported missing following recent Russian and Ukrainian attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea.
"Underlined the fragility of the current international situation, with multiple conflicts in different geographies. These are impacting fuel, fertilizer and food security, especially for the Global South," Jaishankar added.
