Three Indians from attacked Black Sea vessel fly home from Romania
Synopsis
Three Indian merchant mariners rescued from the Black Sea attack on MV Royad Mammadov have returned home from Romania, with the Embassy of India coordinating ground-level support within days. The episode underscores a growing risk for India's vast seafaring workforce as Black Sea shipping lanes remain dangerously volatile.
Key Takeaways
Sahil Sandhu , Ashwini Kumar , and Harman Singh departed Romania for India on 11 October after being rescued from the attacked vessel MV Royad Mammadov in the Black Sea .
The three were rescued on Tuesday ; one sustained injuries and was treated at Constanta County Hospital , Romania.
The Embassy of India in Bucharest arranged essential items, Indian food, and coordinated with local police, medical staff, and the shipping agent.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the attacks, calling them a threat to commercial shipping and the seafaring community.
India reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions in the Black Sea region.
Three Indian nationals rescued from the commercial vessel MV Royad Mammadov, which came under attack in the Black Sea, departed Romania for India on Saturday, 11 October, the Embassy of India in Bucharest confirmed. The departure marks the conclusion of a consular operation that mobilised diplomatic staff, Romanian rescue teams, and a local shipping agent within days of the incident.
Who Was Rescued and How They Got Home
The three seafarers — Sahil Sandhu, Ashwini Kumar, and Harman Singh — were pulled to safety on Tuesday after their vessel came under attack while navigating the Black Sea. An Embassy representative visited them on Wednesday, by which point two of the sailors had been accommodated at a hotel while the third was receiving treatment at the Constanta County Hospital in Romania.
'The Embassy provided all necessary support and assistance to facilitate their return,' the mission said in a post on X, also extending gratitude to Romanian authorities, Constanta County Hospital, and Romanian rescue teams for their 'invaluable assistance, cooperation and support.'
Support Provided on the Ground
According to the Embassy, essential items including mobile phones were arranged through the shipping company's local agent, while Indian food was sourced from a local Indian restaurant. Embassy staff also coordinated with local police, the shipping company's agent, and treating medical doctors to streamline the repatriation process — a level of on-ground engagement that reflects the Centre's stated priority of protecting Indian workers abroad.
India's Condemnation of Black Sea Attacks
The rescue came amid a broader pattern of maritime violence in the region. Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had observed 'a string of attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea region in the last one or two days.'
'We condemn such attacks that threaten commercial shipping and endanger lives of our seafaring community,' Jaiswal said, adding that one of the three Indian nationals had sustained injuries and was receiving treatment at the time of his remarks. India simultaneously reiterated its call for 'dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and enable an early return of peace in the region.'
Broader Context: Indian Seafarers in Conflict Zones
This is not the first time Indian merchant mariners have found themselves caught in geopolitically volatile waters. The Black Sea has remained a flashpoint since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with commercial shipping lanes repeatedly disrupted. Attacks on civilian vessels in the region have drawn repeated international condemnation, and India — home to one of the world's largest pools of merchant navy personnel — has a direct stake in ensuring the safety of its seafaring workforce. Notably, the MEA's swift public condemnation signals a firmer diplomatic posture on maritime security compared to earlier, more muted responses.
All three sailors are now safely back in India, though the broader question of security for Indian crew members transiting conflict-adjacent sea lanes is likely to remain a live policy concern for the Centre.
Point of View
But it should not obscure the structural vulnerability it reveals. India supplies a disproportionately large share of the global merchant navy workforce, yet lacks a publicly articulated framework for crew safety in active conflict zones. The MEA's condemnation of the Black Sea attacks was appropriately firm, but condemnations without follow-through — whether through bilateral pressure, updated seafarer advisories, or engagement with the International Maritime Organization — risk becoming routine. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to destabilise Black Sea shipping lanes, the Centre needs a proactive maritime-safety doctrine, not just a reactive consular response.
NationPress
11 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three Indian nationals rescued from the Black Sea attack?
The three Indian nationals are Sahil Sandhu , Ashwini Kumar , and Harman Singh , who were crew members aboard the commercial vessel MV Royad Mammadov when it came under attack in the Black Sea. All three have since returned safely to India.
What happened to the vessel MV Royad Mammadov?
The commercial vessel MV Royad Mammadov came under attack while navigating the Black Sea , according to the Ministry of External Affairs. The exact nature and perpetrators of the attack have not been officially specified in available statements.
What role did the Indian Embassy in Bucharest play?
The Embassy of India in Bucharest visited the rescued sailors on Wednesday, arranged essential items including mobile phones through the shipping company's local agent, sourced Indian food, and coordinated with Romanian police, medical staff, and the shipping agent to facilitate the crew's safe departure.
What did India's MEA say about the Black Sea attacks?
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the attacks at a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi, calling them a threat to commercial shipping and the safety of the seafaring community. India also called for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Are Indian seafarers at risk in the Black Sea?
The Black Sea has remained a high-risk zone for commercial shipping since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with multiple vessels reportedly targeted in recent days. India, which has one of the world's largest merchant navy workforces, has a significant stake in maritime safety in the region.
