Summary
India and Liberia, co-chairs of a UN group on shipping and seafarer safety, have jointly condemned a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region and the Black Sea, calling for an immediate halt. The statement follows several strikes in recent days that killed seafarers and injured Indian crew members across both regions.
Article
New York: India and Liberia have strongly condemned what they described as a string of unacceptable attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea, calling for an immediate end to hostilities targeting merchant shipping.
The India Liberia joint statement was issued in their capacity as co-chairs of the United Nations Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF on S4) and shared by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in New York.
What did the joint statement say?
The two countries said the attacks over the past few days had disrupted maritime trade and claimed innocent lives. “These actions that disrupt maritime trade and cost innocent lives are simply indefensible,” the statement said, as reported by Hindustan Times.
India and Liberia called for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interest of regional peace and stability. They offered condolences to the families of seafarers who were killed and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. The statement added that the group stands ready to support greater coordination to discourage further attacks and protect seafarers’ rights.
Which attacks prompted the statement?
The statement follows a cluster of incidents involving Indian crews. On October 6, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned an attack on MV Royad Mammadov in the Black Sea that killed two foreign seafarers. Three Indian crew members on board were rescued by Romanian authorities and are safe.
The same day, India condemned an attack on the tanker MT On Peace in the Strait of Hormuz, in which 11 Indian seafarers were injured. They were evacuated and treated at Khasab in Oman.
On October 7, the MEA flagged further Black Sea attacks. Seven of the 18 crew aboard the Palau-flagged Able were Indian, and one was injured; the crew were evacuated to Varna with Bulgarian help. All 23 Indian crew of the Liberia-flagged tanker Aframax Rio were rescued, while India was still seeking information on the crew of the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan.
What is the GoF on S4?
India and Liberia launched the 25-nation group on September 25, 2026, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The pairing brings together a major seafarer-supplying nation and the world’s largest ship registry by tonnage, with the aim of drawing global attention to crew safety and the security of commercial shipping.
At the inaugural meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said attacks on civilian shipping were no longer isolated and called on countries to work together to stop them. He cited the attack on the bulk carrier MV Cape Dao in the Gulf of Oman, which killed an Indian sailor.
He also referred to Black Sea incidents in July. The Indian chief officer of MV Omorfi was killed when the vessel was struck in Russian territorial waters on July 18, and four Indian seafarers died the next day when MV Golden Leo was hit after leaving Odessa.
Liberia set out three core goals for the group: high technical and compliance standards, protection of sea lanes against armed attacks and other threats, and placing seafarers at the centre of maritime policy.
What is India doing diplomatically?
India has called for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and restore free navigation in international waterways. New Delhi has said it is in discussions with both Russia and Ukraine on restoring safe navigation for commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
Why does it matter?
India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, and Indian crews are increasingly exposed as conflict zones spread across the Gulf, Red Sea and Black Sea. For shipowners and managers, the attacks raise crewing, insurance and routing costs, while repeated casualties are likely to intensify pressure on flag states, manning agencies and international bodies to strengthen protection for merchant crews.
FAQs
What did India and Liberia say in their joint statement?
They condemned recent attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and the Black Sea, called them indefensible and demanded an immediate halt.
What is the GoF on S4?
The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers is a 25-nation UN group co-chaired by India and Liberia, launched on September 25, 2026.
Why are India and Liberia leading the group?
India is a major source of seafarers, while Liberia operates the world’s largest ship registry by tonnage.
Which recent attacks involved Indian seafarers?
Recent incidents include MV Royad Mammadov, Able and Aframax Rio in the Black Sea, and MT On Peace in the Strait of Hormuz, where 11 Indian seafarers were injured.
What is India’s position on the Black Sea attacks?
India has called for dialogue and diplomacy and says it is in talks with both Russia and Ukraine to restore safe navigation for commercial shipping.
