India tells Ukraine to ensure safety of 13 stranded Indian seafarers instead of shifting blame

New Delhi: India is of the view that Ukraine must take responsibility of protecting the lives of 13 Indian seafarers stranded at the country's port instead of shifting blame elsewhere.

Kyiv should focus on ensuring the safety of Indian seafarers rather than seeking political consultations with New Delhi and deflecting responsibility, persons familiar with the Black Sea dynamics told ET.

In a post on X on Wednesday, the Ukrainian Embassy wrote, "Thirteen Indian seafarers remain stranded aboard MV AMIR 1 in the Port of Chornomorsk, under continuing threat of Russian missile and drone attacks... We regret that our request to arrange a telephone conversation between Ukraine's Foreign Minister and India's External Affairs Minister on security in Black Sea remains unanswered." The Port of Chornomorsk is located in the city of Chornomorsk, Ukraine. It lies on the north-western shore of the Black Sea, at the Sukhyi Estuary, southwest of Odesa.


The Ukrainian Embassy also questioned the advisory issued by India's Directorate General of Maritime Administration for Indian seafarers in the Black Sea.

India has also taken note of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's support for a US Senate bill proposing 100% tariffs on India for importing Russian oil. Zelensky, who is currently in Washington, visited the US Capitol, watched the vote on the bill from the Senate gallery, and thanked the Senators. Sources told ET that Zelensky's support for the bill could prove counterproductive for bilateral ties.