Jaishankar Condemns Attacks On Civilian Shipping

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has voiced strong condemnation regarding attacks on civilian shipping vessels. He emphasized that such threats to maritime commerce cannot be tolerated and called for international cooperation to ensure secure trade routes. These remarks come amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East, which has increasingly threatened merchant shipping lanes vital to global supply chains.

During high-level diplomatic engagements, including at the ASEAN summit, the Minister underscored India's zero-tolerance stance toward terrorism and violence affecting civilians. He stressed that protecting the free flow of goods is a fundamental priority for India. These statements reflect a broader policy shift as India seeks to play a more proactive role in maintaining stability within the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

The focus on maritime security also extends to the specific safety of Indian nationals working on commercial vessels. Following recent regional conflicts, Jaishankar has engaged in direct discussions with international envoys—including Russian counterparts—to demand enhanced safety guarantees for Indian seafarers. The government continues to utilize back-channel and public diplomatic pressure to ensure that Indian citizens are not caught in the crossfire of international maritime hostilities.