New Delhi, 03 November (H.S.): At least 23 Indians have lost their lives in attacks on commercial vessels amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, including 15 sailors, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. In a separate development linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, five Indians have been killed and two others remain missing following an attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal provided the details during the ministry’s regular media briefing on Tuesday. He said the ministry was closely monitoring the situation in West Asia and all related developments.

Jaiswal reiterated that India has consistently supported dialogue and diplomacy and has urged all parties involved to work towards restoring peace and stability. He noted that the conflict had resulted in several casualties and that its repercussions were being felt not only by people in the region but also by communities across the world.

In another development, the Ministry of External Affairs said that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently met his Russian counterpart on the sidelines of the G20-related engagements.

The two foreign ministers have met on previous occasions as well. During their latest meeting in Atlanta, the United States, they discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the ongoing hostilities in West Asia, as well as a range of bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar