India's Foreign Ministry summoned Russia's charge d'affaires in New Delhi, Vladimir Ladanov, on July 21 over the deaths of four Indian citizens aboard the cargo vessel MV Golden Leo, which was hit by Russian missiles in the Black Sea near Odesa on July 19, the ministry and Reuters reported.
During the meeting, India expressed 'deep concern and unequivocal condemnation' of the attack on a commercial vessel, telling Ladanov that strikes on civilian ships are 'unacceptable and must be excluded.' The ministry said such attacks 'undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime navigation.'
Ladanov was instructed to convey India's position to Russian authorities. Russia's ambassador to India was outside New Delhi at the time of the summons, Hindustan Times reported.
According to The Times of India, one of the deceased, 26-year-old Akhil Joyan Vellarikkundu from Kerala state, had recently returned from leave where he celebrated his engagement. His family received notification of his death via email from the shipping company on July 20. Another Indian citizen is in critical condition after the attack.
The vessel, sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau, carried 17 crew members — citizens of India and Syria, as well as a Ukrainian pilot. Ten people died, and eight survivors were evacuated ashore. The ship was transporting corn from the port of Odesa.
Hindustan Times noted this is the first time Indian sailors have been killed during Russia's war against Ukraine. India officially maintains neutrality but, according to Bloomberg, remains one of the largest buyers of Russian oil after Western sanctions were imposed.