India and Liberia have strongly condemned a series of attacks against commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea over the past few days.
The two countries, which co-chair the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers, said the attacks have disrupted maritime trade and cost innocent lives. They described the actions as indefensible and called for their immediate cessation in the interest of peace and stability in the region.
Condolences for seafarers and families
The joint statement expressed deepest condolences to the families of seafarers who lost their lives. India and Liberia also said they were praying for the early recovery of those injured.
The statement did not provide a figure for deaths or injuries. It linked the attacks to wider risks for commercial shipping and the people working aboard vessels in the affected maritime areas.
India and Liberia seek stronger coordination
India and Liberia launched the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers, also known as the GoF on S4, on 25 September 2026. The countries said they remain ready to support greater coordination to discourage a recurrence of such attacks.
They also said the group would support efforts to safeguard the rights of seafarers. The statement placed the protection of commercial shipping and maritime workers alongside the call for regional peace and stability.
The condemnation covers attacks reported across the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea. The statement did not identify the vessels involved, name those responsible or provide details about the individual incidents.
Conclusion
India and Liberia are calling for an immediate end to attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers, while supporting coordination through the GoF on S4 to help protect maritime trade and seafarers' rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Which countries issued the statement?
India and Liberia issued the statement as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers.
Q. Where did the condemned attacks occur?
The statement referred to attacks in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea.
Q. What did India and Liberia call for?
They called for an immediate cessation of the attacks in the interest of peace and stability in the region.
Q. What impact did the statement identify?
It said the attacks disrupted maritime trade and cost innocent lives.
Q. When was the GoF on S4 launched?
India and Liberia launched the group on 25 September 2026.
Q. What further action did the countries support?
They said they were ready to support more coordination to discourage repeated attacks and safeguard seafarers' rights.
