India warns seafarers amid Black Sea attacks
Amid escalating security threats in the Black Sea region, India on Sunday issued a strong advisory urging its citizens to carefully evaluate the risks before accepting jobs on commercial vessels operating in conflict-hit waters.
The warning comes after five Indian nationals lost their lives in separate attacks on merchant ships in the region over the past week, underlining the growing dangers posed by the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the security environment in and around the Black Sea remains highly volatile, with commercial shipping increasingly vulnerable to missile and drone strikes. It noted that attacks on merchant vessels have risen sharply since April, making maritime operations in the area significantly more hazardous.
In its advisory, the MEA urged Indian seafarers to thoroughly assess prevailing security conditions before accepting assignments on ships sailing through or operating in conflict-affected waters.
“Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks,” the ministry said, adding that the recent spate of incidents has already claimed the lives of five Indian nationals.
The Government advised prospective seafarers to seek detailed information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, onboard security arrangements, insurance coverage and emergency response mechanisms before signing employment contracts.
It also stressed that employment agreements should comply with international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical treatment, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of emergencies. Indian nationals were further advised to keep family members informed of their travel itinerary, maintain regular communication and contact Indian diplomatic missions in the region whenever consular assistance is required.
The advisory coincided with another maritime incident involving Indian crew members. A merchant vessel, MV AGN Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals, was struck while docked at Ukraine’s Port of Odesa on Saturday. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv confirmed on Sunday that two of the four Indians on board are safe, while information regarding the remaining two is still awaited.
The embassy said it is closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant contact with the relevant authorities. Search and rescue operations are underway to determine the status of the missing crew members and provide all possible assistance.
The circumstances surrounding the strike, including its source and the total number of crew members on board, were not immediately known.
Odesa, Ukraine’s largest Black Sea port, has been subjected to repeated missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, making it one of the most vulnerable maritime locations in the region.
Reiterating its concern, the MEA said the conflict continues to pose serious risks to commercial shipping. The ministry emphasised that Indian nationals considering employment on vessels operating in the Black Sea should make informed decisions after carefully evaluating the security situation.
India has consistently advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine since the war began and has continued to provide consular support to Indian nationals residing in or transiting the country. Sunday’s advisory marks a renewed effort by the Government to prevent further casualties among Indian seafarers working in one of the world’s most dangerous maritime zones.
