Archive · 9 Oct 2026
India-Liberia Group Aims to Prioritize Seafarer and Shipping Safety Globally
India and Liberia are leading a group focused on keeping ships and the people who work on them safe.
The group wants countries and maritime organizations to work together.
Its members want shipping safety to receive more attention around the world.
The group held its first meeting recently in New York.
Representatives from 25 countries attended.
India and Liberia also spoke out against recent attacks on ships and seafarers in the Gulf and Black Sea regions.
They said the attacks disrupt trade and can cost lives.
They called for the attacks to stop and expressed sympathy to families of seafarers who died.
India and Liberia co-lead the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF S4).
The group aims to put seafarer and commercial shipping safety at the centre of global discussion and strengthen international cooperation.
Its first meeting was held recently in New York, chaired by S. Jaishankar and Sara Beysolow Nyanti, with 25 countries participating.
India and Liberia condemned recent attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and Black Sea regions.
The countries called for an immediate end to the attacks and offered condolences to families of seafarers killed.
- Who
- India and Liberia, as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers.
- What
- The group seeks stronger international cooperation to protect commercial ships and seafarers; India and Liberia condemned recent attacks.
- When
- The group was launched on September 25; the first meeting took place recently, and the joint condemnation was issued Thursday.
- Where
- The attacks cited took place in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea; the group's first meeting was in New York.
- Why
- To bring shipping and seafarer safety to the centre of global discussion, prevent attacks, and protect crews and maritime trade.
- Group
- Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF S4)
- Co-leaders
- India and Liberia
- Launch date
- September 25
- First meeting
- Held recently in New York
- Meeting attendance
- 25 countries
- Meeting chairs
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti
- Attacks condemned
- Recent attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and Black Sea regions