India urges Russia, Ukraine to protect Black Sea shipping

India has called upon both Russia and Ukraine to guarantee safe passage for commercial shipping through the Black Sea, as attacks on merchant vessels endanger Indian seafarers and could disrupt essential food and energy supplies. Senior Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has called for an end to the targeting of commercial shipping and the restoration of free navigation in international waters.

The Indian seafaring workforce, comprising over 12% of the global maritime industry, numbers more than 311,936 professionals. In recent months, attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea have highlighted the risks to civilian crews. A Ukrainian cargo ship carrying grain from Ukraine, the MV Royad Mammadov, caught fire and sank after an attack, killing two crew members while three Indian nationals survived with injuries and were treated in Romania.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy blamed Russia for the strike, while Moscow claimed to have targeted two Ukrainian cargo vessels in the Black Sea. An attack on an oil tanker carrying 23 Indians off Russia's Black Sea coast near Sochi has also been reported, but all crew members were rescued. Former Indian diplomat Anil Wadhwa argued that a guarantee for safe shipping would depend on a broader cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine in the maritime domain.

Wadhwa noted that India's close ties with both Russia and Ukraine give it access to both sides, though it cannot guarantee compliance. Ukraine's Foreign Minister described India's proposal for a possible ceasefire with Russia as the broadest of four offers received. Russia has not publicly endorsed a binding safe-passage deal, despite welcoming India's peace efforts.

Wadhwa suggested India could use its diplomatic influence with Moscow to facilitate dialogue and secure the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea. He also recommended collaboration with influential Global South countries, including China, Brazil, and South Africa, to enhance their collective diplomatic leverage. Meanwhile, US President Trump's announcement of an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine was seen as a potential confidence-building measure, though its scope and implementation remain unclear. India's initiative could gain traction as a broader maritime arrangement is reached.