India on Monday summoned and reprimanded the ambassador of that country in Delhi over the death of an Indian sailor in a Ukrainian drone attack on a cargo ship in the Black Sea.
War has been going on between Russia and Ukraine for more than four years. As a result, Ukraine and Russia have been carrying out reciprocal attacks on Russian ships sailing in the Black Sea and on Ukrainian ships. In an attack carried out by Russia last week, 10 people, including 4 Indians, were killed. Following this, the Ministry of External Affairs summoned the Russian ambassador to India in Delhi and strongly condemned the attack.
In this context, Ukraine recently carried out a drone attack on the cargo ship MV Omoifi, which was anchored in the Black Sea. An Indian sailor was killed in the incident.
Following this incident, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi issued a summons on Monday to Ukraine’s ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk. Later, he was called to the Ministry of External Affairs, where India conveyed its strong condemnation.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India regarding this, it said, “The Ukrainian ambassador to India was summoned in connection with the incident in which an Indian citizen was killed in an attack on a cargo ship. India’s concern over the incident was then conveyed to him. India’s condemnation of the attack on merchant ships was expressed in strong words. It was emphasized that such attacks on merchant ships, and the danger they pose to the lives of sailors, cannot be accepted and must be avoided,” it said.
Following this, a statement issued by the Ukrainian Embassy said that it expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased Indian sailors. It was also stated that, following this incident, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister had sent a condolence letter to the Indian External Affairs Minister.
The Ukrainian Embassy statement also noted that Ukraine is taking only defensive measures against Russia’s attacks in the Black Sea region.