India Summons Russian Diplomat Over Deaths of 4 Indians in Black Sea

India has summoned a senior Russian diplomat in New Delhi after four Indian nationals died when their cargo ship came under attack in the Black Sea.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Tuesday that it had registered a strong protest with the Russian envoy over the deaths of the four Indian crew members. The ship was reportedly carrying grain when it was hit.

The incident has sharply escalated diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Moscow, even as India has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. The foreign ministry has not officially named the vessel or specified the exact location of the attack.

Diplomatic Summons

Senior officials from the MEA summoned the Russian deputy chief of mission to convey India's deep shock and anguish over the loss of life. The Indian side demanded a thorough investigation into the attack and sought assurances of safety for Indian seafarers in the region.

“The government of India has taken serious note of the incident. Our embassy in Moscow is in constant touch with Russian authorities for the early repatriation of the mortal remains,” an MEA spokesperson said.

Russia has not yet issued a detailed public statement on the summons. The Russian embassy in New Delhi declined to comment when approached by TIVRA News.

Conflicting Accounts

The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear. Ukrainian officials have accused Russian naval forces of striking the vessel in the northwestern Black Sea. Russia, in turn, has blamed Ukraine for targeting civilian shipping in the region.

Analysts say the Black Sea remains a dangerous zone for commercial vessels. Since the collapse of the grain corridor deal in 2023, both sides have repeatedly struck port infrastructure and cargo ships. The International Maritime Organization has recorded several attacks on merchant vessels in the area.

The ship that came under attack was registered under a foreign flag, but all four deceased crew members were Indian nationals. The names of the victims have not yet been released, pending family notifications.

India's Balancing Act

The summons comes at a delicate time for India-Russia ties. New Delhi has avoided directly condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while quietly increasing its purchases of Russian oil. The deaths of Indian citizens, however, have forced the government to take a more assertive stance.

“This is a humanitarian issue, not a geopolitical one. India will protect its citizens wherever they are,” a senior government official told TIVRA News on condition of anonymity.

India has also reached out to Ukraine through its embassy in Kyiv, though it is unclear if a parallel summons will be issued. The MEA has not said whether the Indian envoy in Moscow will be recalled.

Opposition parties in India have demanded a full parliamentary discussion on the deaths. They have also questioned the government's failure to evacuate Indian nationals from conflict zones earlier.

The Indian Navy has been put on standby to assist with any further rescue or repatriation efforts in the Black Sea region. The government is expected to release more details once the investigation is complete.

All eyes are now on whether Russia will cooperate with India's demand for a transparent probe, or if the incident will further strain ties between the two strategic partners.