Jaishankar Raises Safety Concerns With Russia's Lavrov

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Manila on Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties and express concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea region. The meeting came after four Indian crew members were killed in an attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine.

Jaishankar and Lavrov reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and other key sectors during their talks. The Indian minister reiterated the country's strong concern regarding the safety of Indian seafarers in the region. They also discussed various aspects of their partnership, including trade and investment, energy, connectivity, science and technology, and mobility.

The meeting was held days after India summoned Russian Chargé d’Affaires Vladimir Ladanov to convey its grave concerns over the attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leo. The attack resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including four Indian crew members. India described the attack as unacceptable and stressed that such incidents must not be repeated.

The attack on MV Golden Leo marked the first reported deaths of Indian seafarers since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. India has consistently maintained that the Ukraine conflict should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. Jaishankar and Lavrov also exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the situation in West Asia.

The Russian Charge d'Affaires was requested to convey India's strong concerns to his authorities that the targeting of commercial shipping and the resulting loss of innocent civilian lives are unacceptable and must be avoided. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India condemns the attack on MV Golden Leo and reiterated its commitment to the safety of Indian seafarers.

The situation in Ukraine and the Black Sea region has been a concern for India, with many Indian seafarers operating in the area. The Indian government has been working to ensure the safety of its citizens and has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In recent years, India has strengthened its ties with Russia, with cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, and defense. However, the conflict in Ukraine has posed a challenge to bilateral relations, with India calling for a peaceful resolution and Russia's actions in the region causing concern.

The meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov is significant, as it highlights India's commitment to the safety of its citizens and its concerns over the situation in Ukraine. The Indian government will continue to work with Russia and other countries to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

The incident has also sparked a debate about the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea region. India has called for increased cooperation and dialogue to prevent such incidents in the future. The international community has also condemned the attack, with many countries calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In conclusion, the meeting between Jaishankar and Lavrov highlights India's concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea region. The Indian government will continue to work with Russia and other countries to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict and to ensure the safety of its citizens.