Jaishankar raises concerns over rising attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has raised serious concerns regarding the increasing frequency of attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Gulf, Red Sea, and Black Sea. Speaking at the first meeting of the ‘Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers’ during the 81st UN General Assembly session, Jaishankar noted that such incidents are no longer exceptional.

He highlighted specific recent incidents, including an attack on the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier MV Cape Dove in the Gulf of Oman, which resulted in the death of an Indian sailor, and an attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker Al Gaya in the Strait of Hormuz, where an Indian crew member went missing. He also cited attacks on civilian vessels such as the MV Omorfy and MV Golden Leo in the Black Sea.

India and Liberia co-initiated this new group to foster international cooperation between ship-owning nations, major shipping registries, and seafarer-supplying countries. Jaishankar emphasized that with over 80 percent of global trade traveling via sea routes, protecting the approximately 2 million seafarers worldwide is critical for global economic stability.