External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday flagged the repeated attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea and Black Sea.
The minister's statement at the 'Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers' during the 81st session of United Nations General Assembly came days after an Indian seafarer was killed in an attack on Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier, MV Cape Dao, in the Gulf of Oman.
Jaishankar said 10 days before the Gulf of Oman attack, a Panama-flagged oil tanker, El Gaia, was struck in the Strait of Hormuz, following which an Indian crew member went missing.
Pointing out that these are not exceptional occurrences, he said, "In recent months, the world has seen unacceptable attacks on commercial shipping and merchant mariners. These have occurred across the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, and the Black Sea. We believe that there can be no justification for such violence and loss of life. Put simply, these attacks must stop."
The minister noted that India, which is a major source country for seafarers, and Liberia, which hosts the largest shipping registry, have teamed up to bring together other states with similar interests and draw attention to the safety of ships and sailors. He was accompanied by Liberian diplomat Sara Beysolow Nyanti during the session.
"Recent global developments underline the threats posed to the safety and security of seafarers, including prolonged confinement on board, delayed crew changes and repatriation, separation from families, and psychological distress—quite apart from the physical attacks on them," he added.
The minister pointed out that such unacceptable actions not just happening in the Middle East, but also in the Black Sea. On July 18, MV Omorfi was hit in Russian territorial waters and its chief officer, an Indian national, was killed. The next day, MV Golden Leo was struck after leaving Odessa, and four Indian seafarers lost their lives.
He pointed out that while he cited only incidents involving Indian sailors, there were casualties from other nations too in attacks on civilian shipping, which have become a growing cause of concern.
