India has summoned a senior Russian diplomat after a missile strike near the Ukrainian port city of Odesa killed four Indian seafarers, prompting New Delhi to demand a full investigation and stronger measures to protect civilian shipping in the Black Sea.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs lodged a formal protest with the Russian Embassy following the attack, which struck a commercial vessel operating near Odesa. The ministry expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
The ministry said the four Indian nationals were serving as crew members aboard the vessel when it was hit. Indian officials urged all parties involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of civilian ships and their crews operating in the region.
Russia has not immediately commented on India’s diplomatic protest. Moscow has repeatedly maintained that its military operations are directed at military and strategic targets, while Ukraine has accused Russian forces of endangering civilian infrastructure and international shipping through continued missile and drone attacks on Black Sea ports.
The latest incident highlights the growing risks faced by commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea, where attacks on ports and shipping infrastructure have disrupted global trade since the start of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. International maritime organisations have repeatedly warned that merchant crews remain exposed to significant security threats despite efforts to maintain shipping routes.
Political analysts said India’s decision to summon a Russian diplomat reflects the seriousness with which New Delhi views the deaths of its citizens. They noted that while India has maintained relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the conflict, the incident is likely to increase diplomatic pressure for greater protection of civilian maritime traffic in the region.
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