Jaishankar Raises Safety Of Indian Seafarers With Russian FM Lavrov After Deadly Vessel Attack

In a post on X, Jaishankar said he held an "in-depth review" of India-Russia bilateral relations with Lavrov and discussed a wide range of issues.

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External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said he conveyed India’s concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers during a discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after four Indian nationals were killed in an attack on a commercial vessel off Ukraine’s coast.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Jaishankar said he held an “in-depth review” of India-Russia bilateral relations with Lavrov and discussed a wide range of issues, including trade, energy, connectivity, science and technology, mobility, the Ukraine conflict and the situation in the Gulf.

An in-depth review of our bilateral relations with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia.

Reiterated our strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region. Discussed various aspects of our partnership,

including trade & investment, energy & connectivity, science &… pic.twitter.com/hjswnKidfP

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 22, 2026

“Reiterated our strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region,” Jaishankar wrote.

The conversation comes amid heightened diplomatic tensions following the July 19 attack on the Guinea-Bissau-flagged cargo vessel MV Golden Leo near Ukraine’s port of Odesa. The ship, carrying grain and 17 crew members, including five Indians, was struck shortly after departing the port.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), four Indian nationals were killed in the incident while another remains critically injured in hospital.

The government summoned Russia’s Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, Vladimir Ladanov, and lodged a strong protest over the deaths of the Indian crew members. India conveyed its serious concern to Moscow and sought an explanation regarding the attack which MEA described as “deplorable”.

“India condemns such attacks and reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, is deplorable and should be avoided,” the ministry said earlier.

Ukrainian authorities have blamed Russia for the strike, alleging that the MV Golden Leo was hit by three Russian cruise missiles after leaving Odesa. Ukraine’s navy said the vessel caught fire following the attack.