Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 21: India on Tuesday summoned Russia's Charge d'Affaires in New Delhi, Vladimir Ladanov, and lodged a strong diplomatic protest over the killing of four Indian nationals in an attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine.
According to official sources, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveyed India's "grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation" over the attack on the commercial cargo vessel MV Golden Leo, which came under attack on Sunday while departing Ukraine's Odesa port.
In a statement, the MEA said it informed the Russian diplomat that such attacks seriously undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce.
"The Russian Charge d'Affaires was requested to convey India's strong concerns to his authorities that the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided," the ministry said.
The diplomatic démarche follows the July 19 attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged MV Golden Leo, which was carrying a shipment of grain from Odesa.
The vessel had 17 crew members on board, including five Indian nationals.
According to the MEA, four Indian crew members were killed in the attack, while another Indian national sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment in hospital.
The Indian Embassy in Ukraine is closely monitoring the situation and is extending all possible assistance to those affected, the ministry said.
India also expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured crew member a speedy recovery.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had earlier alleged that Russia attacked the civilian cargo vessel navigating Ukraine's maritime corridor. He said the ship's crew included citizens of India and Syria.
Without directly naming Russia in its earlier statement, India condemned the attack and reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members was "deplorable and should be avoided."
The government also stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and ensuring the safety of international maritime trade amid the ongoing conflict in the region.