New Delhi, 26 July (H.S.):

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued an advisory for Indian citizens in view of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, describing the security situation in the Black Sea and surrounding maritime areas as highly volatile. The Ministry advised Indian nationals seeking employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting through the conflict-affected region to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian citizens intending to work aboard commercial ships passing through conflict zones should conduct a thorough assessment of the existing security threats. They have been advised to obtain comprehensive information from employers, recruitment agencies, and ship operators regarding the vessel's proposed route, ports of call, onboard security arrangements, insurance coverage, and emergency response procedures.

The Ministry further advised Indian nationals to ensure that the terms of employment comply with applicable international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in the event of an emergency. They have also been urged to keep their family members informed about their travel plans and maintain regular communication throughout their deployment.

Indian citizens have been advised to regularly monitor and comply with advisories issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and other relevant authorities of the Government of India, as well as safety instructions issued by ship operators and competent maritime authorities. In particular, they have been urged to refer to the latest safety advisory issued on July 23 by the Directorate General of Shipping and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Indian nationals requiring assistance may contact the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate in the region. The emergency contact numbers are: Embassy of India in Russia: +7 9652773414 and Embassy of India in Ukraine: +38 0933559958.

Notably, the advisory has been issued specifically for Indian citizens employed on commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea region. Ongoing hostilities in the Black Sea and adjacent maritime areas have made the region highly unsafe, with commercial ships transiting these waters facing repeated threats from missile and drone attacks. Several merchant vessels have come under attack since April, resulting in the deaths of five Indian nationals during this period.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar