India condemns the attack on the merchant ship
India on Friday condemned the attack on a commercial ship flying the flag of the Marshall Islands in Russian waters, which led to the death of an Indian sailor, and renewed its call to respect international obligations to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation and the uninterrupted flow of global trade.
The cargo ship MV Omorfi, a huge bulk carrier with a crew of 10, including three Indian nationals, was attacked while crossing the Black Sea, in Russian territorial waters, on July 18, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. The ministry said: “According to available information, an Indian citizen tragically lost his life in the attack… It is reported that the other two Indian citizens on board the plane are fine.”
The incident occurred one day before a Russian attack targeting the Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship MV Golden Leo in the Black Sea, killing 10 people, including four Indian sailors. The Foreign Ministry statement did not specify who attacked the Omurvi, although the Seafarers’ Union of India (FSUI) said on social media that the ship was targeted by a Ukrainian drone. The FSUI identified the slain Indian sailor as Chief Petty Officer Sagar Gupta.
“India unequivocally condemns such attacks targeting commercial shipping and endangering the lives of innocent civilian crew members. It is of grave concern that freedom of navigation and international trade is facing increasing threats,” the statement said.
India also called on “all parties concerned to abide by international obligations to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation and the uninterrupted flow of global trade.”
The Indian Embassy in Russia has contacted the relevant authorities and is making efforts to provide all possible assistance to the family of the Indian sailor who was killed on board the ship ‘Omurvi’.
The total number of Indian sailors killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has risen to five. More than six Indian sailors have also been killed in Iranian and US attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned senior Iranian, Russian, and American diplomats to protest these attacks.
Earlier in the day, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal rejected a suggestion from the Russian side that the Golden Lion ship was carrying weapons when it was attacked. He said information received from the Directorate General of the Indian Maritime Administration showed that the ship Golden Leo loaded grains as cargo before leaving the port of Odessa on July 19.
“We reiterate once again that commercial shipping and seafarers should not be targeted under any circumstances,” he said, adding that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made this position clear at the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum meetings in the Philippines and also confirmed it with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
