Grain, not guns: MEA rejects Russia's claim on deadly ship attack that killed 4 Indians
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has rejected Russian claims that a merchant vessel struck in the Black Sea was carrying military cargo. India maintains the ship was transporting grain and has expressed grave concern over the deaths of four Indian seafarers.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks to commercial shipping in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and creates a diplomatic friction point between India and Russia.
NEW DELHI: Ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Friday said the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo, which was struck in a Russian attack off Ukraine's Odesa port earlier this week, was carrying grain and not military cargo, effectively rejecting Moscow's assertion that the ship was transporting weapons for Ukraine.Responding to questions on the Russian claim, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the information available with the Indian government showed the Guinea-Bissau-flagged vessel had loaded grain before leaving Odesa."As per information made available to us from the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, India, MV Golden Leo, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged commercial vessel involved in the tragic incident in the Odesa port, had loaded grain as cargo prior to its departure on July 19," Jaiswal said at the ministry's weekly media briefing."We once again reiterate that commercial shipping and seafarers must not be targeted under any circumstances," he added.The clarification came days after a Russian…
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