Attacks on commercial shipping in Gulf, Red Sea simply indefensible: Jaishankar as India and Liberia announce ‘group of friends’

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday (September 25, 2026) listed recent incidents of attacks against seafarers and ships, saying “regrettably” these are no longer exceptional occurrences. His remarks came as India and Liberia announced establishing a “group of friends” on the safety and security of shipping and seafarers, on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.

The initiative was launched at the ministerial-level meeting of the group of ‘Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers’. “India, as a major source of seafarers, and Liberia, as the largest shipping registry, have come together to highlight the safety and security of shipping and seafarers,” Mr. Jaishankar said at the meeting.

“In the last few months, commercial shipping and marinas have been subjected to repeated attacks in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and its vicinity….These actions that disrupt maritime commerce and cost innocent lives are simply indefensible,” he added.