#WATCH | 81st Session of UNGA | At the inaugural meeting of Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "We are gathered here this morning with a strong resolve on a very important issue. 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. Just two days ago, an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier, MV Cape Dao, was attacked in the Gulf of Oman, and an Indian sailor lost his life. Ten days before that, a Panama-flagged oil tanker, El Gaia, was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, and an Indian crew member went missing after that incident. These, regrettably, are no longer exceptional occurrences. In the last few months, commercial shipping and mariners have been subjected to repeated attacks in the Gulf, the Red Sea, and its vicinity. Such unacceptable actions are also occurring in the Black Sea: MV Omorfi was hit in Russian territorial waters on 18 July, and its chief officer, an Indian national, was killed. The following day, MV Golden Leo was struck after leaving Odessa, and four Indian seafarers lost their lives. Now, the examples that I cite involved Indian sailors, but those of many other nations have been casualties as well in such occurrences this year. From the Black Sea to the Red Sea to the Gulf, attacks on civilian shipping have become a growing cause of concern..."
(Source: EAM/'X')