New Delhi, 21 July (H.S.): India on Tuesday summoned Russia's Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi, Vladimir Ladanov, following the deaths of four Indian nationals in a Russian missile strike on a merchant vessel.

In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the attack, stating that such incidents undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime trade. India asked Vladimir Ladanov to convey its deep concern to the Russian authorities.

The Ministry further stated that targeting commercial vessels and causing the loss of innocent civilian lives is unacceptable and must not occur under any circumstances.

According to the Ministry, the Russian military launched the missile strike on July 19 against the merchant vessel MV Golden Leo shortly after it departed from the Ukrainian port of Odesa carrying a cargo of grain.

The vessel is owned by Mumbai-based Ocean Grace Shipping Limited. A total of 17 crew members from India and Syria were on board at the time of the attack. Four Indian nationals were killed in the strike.

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

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar