India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador in New Delhi to express grave concern over recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. Following fatal casualties among Indian seafarers, New Delhi urged Ukrainian authorities to ensure the safety of civilian maritime transport and maintain freedom of navigation.
NEW DELHI — India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on July 27, 2026, summoned Ukrainian Ambassador to India, Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, to officially convey New Delhi’s strong condemnation and grave concerns regarding escalating attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea maritime zone.
The diplomatic action follows recent missile and drone strikes hitting commercial cargo ships in maritime transit routes, resulting in casualties among Indian crew members and creating severe risks for global merchant shipping. Indian foreign ministry officials instructed Ambassador Polishchuk to transmit New Delhi's urgent protest directly to authorities in Kyiv, reiterating that targeting non-combatant merchant ships carrying civilian seafarers is unacceptable under international maritime law.
Escalating Black Sea Maritime Crisis
The demarche issued to the Ukrainian envoy highlights a dramatic surge in threats against merchant vessels transiting vital maritime routes. Recent maritime incidents, including missile strikes on merchant ships such as the MV OMORFI, MV AGN Ragnar, and the MV Golden Leo near the Port of Odesa, have drawn intense scrutiny from international shipping watchdogs and foreign governments.
The strikes have claimed the lives of several Indian civilian seafarers and injured others navigating through the contested Black Sea maritime corridor. Earlier in July, an Indian national was killed aboard the commercial vessel MV OMORFI, while a separate strike on the MV Golden Leo resulted in four deaths among Indian crew members. On July 25, another merchant vessel, the MV AGN Ragnar, came under attack at the Port of Odesa with four Indian crew members on board, triggering ongoing search and rescue operations.
The ongoing hostilities in Black Sea waters have increasingly compromised freedom of navigation, raising freight rates, escalating hull insurance premiums, and putting international merchant crews at severe risk.
Impact on Global Seafarers and Logistics Operations
India represents one of the largest labor supply nations for the international maritime trade, accounting for over 320,000 active merchant marine seafarers globally. The persistent threat of drone and missile strikes in the Black Sea directly impacts thousands of Indian sailors working on foreign-flagged bulk carriers, tankers, and container vessels.
The Ministry of External Affairs and the Directorate General of Shipping have issued advisories urging shipping lines, recruitment agencies, and Indian seafarers to exercise extreme caution and conduct rigorous risk assessments prior to accepting assignments on vessels navigating the Black Sea and adjacent waterways.
For global logistics, the heightened insecurity around major grain-exporting hubs such as Odesa risks disrupting agricultural commodity supply chains, driving up maritime transport costs, and forcing ships to take longer or more hazardous routes.
Official Statements and Declarations
According to official announcements released by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi, the Government of India conveyed its unreserved condemnation of attacks directed at commercial shipping vessels.
"The Ambassador of Ukraine to India, H.E. Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs in connection with attacks on commercial vessels," the official MEA statement read. "The Ministry conveyed its serious concern over these incidents and condemned such attacks on commercial shipping in the strongest terms, underscoring their adverse impact on the safety of maritime navigation, freedom of navigation, and international commerce. The Ambassador was requested to convey to Ukrainian authorities India's strong concerns over the targeting of commercial vessels, reiterating that actions endangering innocent civilian seafarers are unacceptable and must be avoided."
Additionally, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha previously communicated with India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to convey condolences over seafarer casualties, as diplomatic discussions continue regarding maritime safety standards.
Why It Matters
The safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea is critical to both humanitarian stability and international commercial trade. With merchant vessels carrying essential agricultural commodities, raw materials, and manufactured goods through high-risk war zones, the targeting of commercial craft threatens global economic stability.
For India, the safety of its overseas workforce remains a primary diplomatic priority. Continued attacks on non-combatant ships could lead to stricter travel restrictions, higher maritime insurance costs, labor supply shortages on shipping lanes, and diplomatic friction between trading partner nations.
Key Facts at a Glance
Diplomatic Action: India's MEA summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk to register a strong formal protest over attacks on commercial vessels.
Casualties Recorded: Recent strikes on merchant ships in Black Sea transit, including MV OMORFI and MV Golden Leo, caused fatal casualties among Indian seafarers.
Maritime Impact: Recent attacks near the Port of Odesa have disrupted freedom of navigation and threatened commercial maritime routes.
Safety Advisory: The Indian government has issued security advisories urging Indian crew members and shipping agencies to perform thorough safety checks before embarking on Black Sea voyages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did India summon the Ukrainian Ambassador?
India summoned Ambassador Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk to express severe concerns and strong condemnation over recent missile and drone attacks targeting commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea, which have caused casualties among Indian seafarers.
Which ships were involved in the recent Black Sea incidents?
Recent incidents involved several merchant ships, including the MV OMORFI, the MV Golden Leo, and the MV AGN Ragnar, all of which were carrying international crews including Indian citizens.
How does this affect Indian seafarers?
India contributes more than 320,000 active seafarers to the global shipping fleet. Heightened risks in the Black Sea expose Indian sailors to physical danger, prompting government travel advisories and stricter security protocol reviews by recruitment agencies.
What is India's official stance on commercial shipping in war zones?
India maintains that commercial shipping and innocent civilian seafarers must never be targeted under any circumstances, calling on all parties to respect international law, freedom of navigation, and maritime safety.
Source: Official statements and releases issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India and maritime incident disclosures from the Directorate General of Shipping.
