India on Monday summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and lodged a strong protest over the attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI, which resulted in the death of an Indian national.
The MEA conveyed to the Ukrainian envoy its serious concern over the incident and condemned the attack on commercial shipping in the strongest terms, underscoring its adverse impact on the safety and freedom of maritime navigation, as well as on international commerce.
“The Ambassador was requested to convey to the Ukrainian authorities India’s strong concerns over the targeting of commercial vessels. It was reiterated that such actions, which endanger the lives of innocent civilian seafarers, are unacceptable and must be avoided,” the MEA said.
The development came a day after the MEA advised Indian nationals intending to take up employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected region to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments.
Those who choose to undertake such employment should exercise the utmost caution and observe the prescribed safety precautions, the MEA said in a travel advisory.