External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has reiterated India’s strong concern over the safety of Indian seafarers operating in the Black Sea region during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila.
The discussion came a day after India summoned Russian Charge d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov to protest the deaths of four Indian crew members following the attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged merchant vessel MV Golden Leo off the coast of Ukraine.
Jaishankar said the two ministers conducted an in-depth review of bilateral relations, covering trade and investment, energy, connectivity, science and technology, mobility, and exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict and the Gulf situation. He also reiterated India’s concerns regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the conflict-affected region.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier conveyed India’s “grave concerns and unequivocal condemnation” of the attack on the vessel. Russian officials have stated that Moscow is engaged with New Delhi and discussions on the incident are ongoing.
Maritime experts have cautioned Indian seafarers against joining vessels operating in the Black Sea, citing the heightened security risks due to the ongoing conflict.
The Jaishankar-Lavrov meeting precedes Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposed visit to India for the BRICS Summit scheduled for September 12-13. Both countries also reviewed progress in their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, with growing cooperation in trade, investment, rare earths, high technology, and Arctic development.