India Summons Russian Diplomat After Black Sea Ship Attack Kills Four Indians

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Reuters, India said on Tuesday, July 21, that it had summoned a senior Russian diplomat and expressed “serious concern” after a missile attack on a Black Sea cargo ship leaving a Ukrainian port killed four Indians. Ukraine said Russia fired three cruise missiles on Sunday, July 19, at the Jin Shi Hao cargo ship, which flew the flag of Guinea-Bissau and carried crew from India and Syria. The attack killed 10 people in total. India’s foreign ministry said it summoned Vladimir Ladanov, Russia’s charge d’affaires in India, and asked him to convey New Delhi’s strong concerns, calling attacks on commercial vessels that cause civilian deaths “unacceptable.” The ministry also said such attacks undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime trade. LSEG data showed the vessel’s owner was Mumbai-based Maritime Grace Shipping Co Ltd. The report also said India has previously protested to the United States and Iran over crew deaths during the US-Iran war.