India issues Black Sea advisory after strike in Ukraine's Odesa, calls region 'highly volatile'
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued a travel advisory urging Indian nationals to exercise extreme caution when working on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. This follows a series of attacks on merchant ships, including one at the Port of Odesa, which have resulted in five Indian seafarer deaths since April 2026.
Why it matters
The advisory highlights the escalating risks to global maritime trade and the safety of international crews operating in active conflict zones.
NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs has issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals to exercise extreme caution before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea region.The ministry warned that the security situation in the conflict-hit maritime corridor remains "highly volatile", with commercial vessels facing persistent risks from missile and drone attacks.This comes after a merchant vessel carrying four Indian nationals was struck at Ukraine's Port of Odesa, with two crew members confirmed safe while the status of the other two is still being ascertained, according to the Indian Embassy in Kyiv.In an advisory issued on Sunday, New Delhi said that the deteriorating security environment has already claimed the lives of five Indian nationals since April 2026."The security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict.
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