Archive · 26 Sep 2026
India and Liberia Launch Group to Protect Seafarers from Attacks
India and Liberia created a group to help keep ships and seafarers safe.
The group was announced during a meeting connected to the United Nations General Assembly.
India supplies many seafarers, while Liberia has the largest shipping registry by tonnage.
The two countries will lead the group together.
India’s foreign minister, S Jaishankar, said attacks on ships have become too common.
He mentioned an attack that killed an Indian sailor and another in which an Indian crew member went missing.
Seafarers can also face delayed crew changes, separation from families and psychological distress.
The new group will help countries share information and work together.
Its goal is to improve safety and support people working at sea.
India and Liberia launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers on September 25 alongside the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The countries will co-chair an inclusive platform involving ship-owning states, major shipping registries and leading seafarer-supplying countries.
S Jaishankar called repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf, Red Sea, Black Sea and nearby waters indefensible and unacceptable.
Recent incidents cited included an attack on the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV Cape Dao that killed an Indian sailor and a strike on the Panama-flagged tanker El Gaia that left an Indian crew member missing.
The voluntary, action-oriented group will promote information-sharing and practical cooperation through bodies including the United Nations, International Maritime Organization and International Labour Organization.
- Who
- India and Liberia, led at the launch by S Jaishankar and Liberia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
- What
- They launched the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers, with India and Liberia as co-chairs.
- When
- September 25, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- At a ministerial-level meeting on the sidelines of the high-level United Nations General Assembly session.
- Why
- To respond to repeated attacks on commercial shipping and strengthen international cooperation on maritime safety and seafarer support.
- Initiative
- Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers
- Founding countries
- India and Liberia
- Leadership
- India and Liberia will serve as co-chairs
- Platform
- Inclusive, voluntary and action-oriented, involving ship-owning states, shipping registries and seafarer-supplying countries
- Recent incidents
- The MV Cape Dao attack killed an Indian sailor; the El Gaia tanker strike left an Indian crew member missing
- Scale of seafaring
- Nearly two million seafarers operate the world’s merchant fleet
- Proposed cooperation
- The group will exchange views, share experiences and promote practical cooperation through international and maritime organizations
