India and Liberia have jointly condemned the recent assaults on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Gulf and Black Sea, labelling these actions as unacceptable. The two nations have expressed their desire for an immediate halt to such attacks, emphasising the need for peace and stability in the affected regions. This strong stance was made public in a statement released on Thursday by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations.

The statement highlighted the alarming rise in incidents targeting maritime trade and innocent lives. As co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers (GoF on S4), India and Liberia reiterated their commitment to ensuring the protection of seafarers and the security of commercial shipping.

Launch of the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping

The initiative known as the GoF on S4 was launched on September 25 during the high-level UN General Assembly week. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, alongside Liberia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, announced this initiative with a shared understanding that repeated attacks on commercial shipping disrupt maritime commerce and result in unnecessary loss of life. The focus of this group is to rally international support for the safety and security of shipping routes.

Both nations extended their heartfelt condolences to the families of seafarers who have tragically lost their lives amidst these attacks. They also expressed their commitment to supporting increased collaboration among nations to prevent such events from recurring and to protect the rights of sailors globally.

The earlier statement from the Ministry of External Affairs denounced specific attacks on vessels, including the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, the Palau-flagged Able, and the Liberia-flagged Aframax Rio. Reports indicated that seven of the eighteen crew members aboard the Able are Indian nationals, with one sustaining injuries during the confrontation.

Details of Recent Incidents

The condemnation of attacks has gained urgency in light of several recent incidents in the region. Earlier this week, the Panama-flagged commercial vessel MT On Peace was reportedly struck by a projectile while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz, located off the coast of Oman. Seventeen out of the nineteen crew members onboard hailed from India, and twelve crew members, including eleven Indians, suffered injuries as a result of the attack.

Emergency response efforts were mobilised, with the injured crew members evacuated with assistance from Omani authorities. They are currently receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman, which underscores the critical need for international cooperation in safeguarding maritime interests.

In summary, both India and Liberia have reiterated that immediate action is required to put an end to the violence against commercial shipping and to protect seafarers. Their statements reflect a commitment to international maritime safety and security, calling for enhanced cooperation between nations to safeguard trade routes and ensure the safety of all those involved in maritime operations.

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