India summons Ukraine envoy after a deadly attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea claimed the life of an Indian national, prompting New Delhi to express strong concern over the safety of civilian seafarers. The government condemned attacks on commercial shipping and called for greater protection of maritime routes.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk on Monday to convey its “serious concern” over the July 18 attack on the MV Omforfi. The vessel was transiting the Black Sea when it came under attack.
According to the ministry, three Indian nationals were on board the ship, and one of them was killed in the incident. India described the attack as unacceptable and stressed that civilian seafarers should never be placed at risk.
Officials said Ambassador Polishchuk was asked to inform Kyiv that actions endangering innocent civilian sailors must be avoided. New Delhi also reiterated its strongest condemnation of attacks targeting commercial shipping.
The diplomatic move follows a similar protest lodged with Russia last week. India had summoned the Russian envoy after an attack on a cargo vessel departing Ukraine’s port of Odesa killed four Indian nationals.
India remains one of the world’s largest suppliers of merchant navy personnel, with more than 320,000 active seafarers in 2025. In response to recent incidents, authorities have issued multiple security advisories for Indian-flagged vessels and ships employing Indian crews operating in the Black Sea.
The Foreign Ministry also noted that 14 Indian seafarers have lost their lives in attacks on ships during the ongoing Middle East conflict. The recent incidents have heightened concerns about the safety of international shipping and the protection of civilian crews in conflict-affected waters.
