India, Liberia Launch Safety Group To Protect Seafarers Amid Attacks On Ships

India and Liberia have jointly launched a new “Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers” at a ministerial‑level meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The initiative brings together a coalition of countries to coordinate responses to the recent surge in attacks on commercial vessels operating on the high seas.

The formation of the group follows a series of violent incidents that have claimed the lives of dozens of seafarers, including several Indian nationals. In particular, an Indian sailor was killed when the Antigua and Barbuda‑flagged carrier MV Cape Dove was struck in the Gulf of Oman just two days before the meeting. The incident underscored growing concerns about the safety of civilian shipping across key maritime corridors.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the launch, described the attacks—from the Black Sea to the Red Sea and the Gulf—as “indefensible” and called on the international community to “close ranks and deter such attacks.” He emphasized that disruptions to maritime commerce not only endanger lives but also threaten the flow of goods that underpins global trade.

Jaishankar highlighted India’s ongoing role in mobilising multilateral action for seafarer safety, noting the country’s contributions at recent forums such as the BRICS summit earlier in the month. He urged member states of the new group to develop concrete measures, including information sharing, coordinated patrols and legal frameworks, to protect vessels and crews from further assaults.

With roughly two million seafarers responsible for transporting about 80 percent of international trade, the safety of shipping lanes remains a critical issue for the global economy. The newly formed group aims to provide a platform for regular dialogue and coordinated policy responses to mitigate the risks faced by civilian shipping and its personnel.