Black Sea Ship Attacks: India, Liberia Raise Alarm Over Seafarers’ Safety

India and Liberia have strongly condemned a series of attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Gulf and its vicinity, as well as the Black Sea region, calling for an immediate end to such incidents.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the two countries' Permanent Missions to the United Nations said the attacks had disrupted maritime trade and claimed innocent lives, describing them as indefensible.

“As co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF on S4), India and Liberia strongly condemn the string of unacceptable attacks that commercial ships and seafarers have been subjected to,” the statement said.

The two countries called for an immediate cessation of the attacks in the interest of regional peace and stability. They also expressed condolences to the families of seafarers who had lost their lives and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

India and Liberia launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers on September 25, 2026. The two countries said they were ready to support greater coordination to prevent such attacks from recurring and safeguard seafarers' rights.

India had also condemned attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region on Wednesday, reiterating the need for dialogue and diplomacy to ease tensions and restore peace.

At a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the attacks threatened commercial shipping and endangered the lives of seafarers.

He cited the attack on the commercial vessel MV Royad Mammadov in the Black Sea, which had three Indian nationals on board. All three were safe, although one sustained injuries and was receiving treatment.

Jaiswal thanked the Romanian authorities for their assistance during the incident.

The joint condemnation comes amid growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers in conflict-affected maritime regions.