India, Liberia condemn attacks on shipping, seafarers in Black Sea, Gulf

The joint statement comes amid a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea that have put Indian seafarers at risk

India and Liberia have strongly condemned a series of attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea over the past few days, calling for an immediate cessation of such incidents in the interest of peace and regional stability.

In a joint statement issued as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF on S4), the two countries described the attacks as unacceptable and said they disrupted maritime trade and cost innocent lives.

"India and Liberia, as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers (GoF on S4), strongly condemn the string of unacceptable attacks that commercial ships and seafarers have been subjected to in the Gulf and its vicinity, the Black Sea, over the past few days," the joint statement said.

"These actions that disrupt maritime trade and cost innocent lives are simply indefensible. We call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interest of peace and stability in the region," it said.

India and Liberia also extended their condolences to the families of seafarers who lost their lives and wished those injured a speedy recovery.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the seafarers who have lost their lives and pray for early recovery of those injured," the statement added.

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

The joint statement comes amid a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea that have put Indian seafarers at risk.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned attacks on three merchant vessels - the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, the Palau-flagged Able and the Liberia-flagged oil tanker Aframax Rio.

"We condemn the attacks on commercial vessels, Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, Palau-flagged Able, and Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio in the Black Sea," the MEA said.

The Ministry said seven Indian nationals were among the 18 crew members aboard the Palau-flagged Able when it came under attack. One Indian sailor was injured, while all crew members were evacuated with assistance from Bulgarian authorities and taken to the city of Varna in Bulgaria. The injured sailor was receiving medical treatment.

"We thank the Bulgarian authorities for their valuable support," the MEA said.

The Ministry also confirmed that all 23 crew members aboard the Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio, all of them Indian nationals, had been rescued following a separate attack.