India has summoned Ukraine's Ambassador to New Delhi, Dr. Oleksandr Polishchuk, following an attack on a merchant vessel carrying Indian crew members at Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa, days after four Indian seafarers were killed in a separate strike on another commercial ship.
According to India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ukrainian envoy was called in after the MV AGN Ragnar, which had four Indian crew members on board, was hit while docked at the Port of Odesa on July 25, Hindustan Times writes.
No details were immediately provided on the condition of the Indian sailors or the extent of the damage to the vessel.
The Indian Embassy in Kyiv said the incident occurred at one of Ukraine's busiest Black Sea ports, which has been repeatedly targeted since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
The diplomatic move comes less than a week after four Indian seafarers were killed in a strike on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo. Following that incident, India summoned Russia's chargé d'affaires, Vladimir Ladanov, to the Ministry of External Affairs, as the Russian ambassador was away from New Delhi.
New Delhi has expressed concern over the safety of Indian nationals serving aboard commercial vessels operating in the conflict zone.
By summoning envoys from both Russia and Ukraine after separate incidents, India has signalled its expectation that all parties take adequate measures to protect civilian shipping and foreign crew members.
By Aghakazim Guliyev
