The attacks on seafarers was a major issue highlighted by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the General Debate at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Jaishankar called the targeting of commercial shipping and seafarers 'simply unacceptable'. Commercial shipping has come under frequent attacks during the ongoing conflict in the Strait of Hormuz and elsewhere.
“This year, we are witnessing a conflict in the Gulf, one that is exacerbating an already difficult situation. We remain deeply concerned over continuing hostilities,” S Jaishankar said.
The safety of Indian seafarers was a pressing issue at the recently held BRICS Summit as well, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an emergency support network.
How badly has India been hit?
As of today, at least 16 Indian seafarers have been killed this year across conflict zones in West Asia and the Black Sea.
The latest victim was Suraj Yadav, a 23-year-old from UP's Deoria district, who was killed in a missile attack on a commercial ship off Oman's east coast.
Recently, an Indian went missing after a Panama-flagged oil tanker, El Gaia, was struck in the Strait of Hormuz.
This is cause for concern, as India is the second-largest supplier of personnel to commercial shipping. According to the BIMCO/ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India accounts for 12.16% of the global supply, second only to the Philippines (17.94%) and ahead of China (12.09%) and Russia (9.33%). As per the report, India has 3,11,936 seafarers.
What has India proposed?
At UNGA, India called upon all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, ensure protection of civilians, and uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.
Ahead of his address, Jaishankar and his Liberian counterpart Sara Beysolow Nyanti launched 'Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers'.
Jaishankar said the initiative that has 23 other partners, will aim to rally global public opinion against such unwarranted targeting of seafarers.
“We must ensure that the safety and security of shipping and seafarers is never compromised. Scrupulously observing international law is an integral element of that endeavour,” Jaishankar said.
What support system does India have?
In late July, the government issued a release in which the Directorate General of Shipping said a 24X7 Seafarer Grievance and Assistance Cell was fully operational, providing round-the-clock support to Indian seafarers and their families through dedicated helplines.
The Union government said in August that a system for "real-time reporting, tracking and monitoring mechanism for vessels and seafarers" was operational for those transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters.
That said, a proposal for a BRICS-wide Seafarers' Emergency Support Network, which was put forth by PM Modi at the BRICS Summit, has yet to become operational.