India-Liberia GoF S4 pushes seafarer safety to top of global agenda
Synopsis
India and Liberia have moved beyond bilateral condemnation to coalition diplomacy, co-launching the GoF S4 at the UN with 25 countries to make seafarer and commercial shipping safety a permanent fixture of global multilateral discourse — a significant escalation as attacks in the Gulf and Black Sea mount.
Key Takeaways
India and Liberia co-lead the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF S4) , launched on 25 September .
The group's inaugural meeting in New York was co-presided by EAM S.
Jaishankar and Liberian FM Sara Beysolow Nyanti , with 25 countries participating.
India and Liberia on Thursday jointly condemned attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and Black Sea .
The joint statement called for an 'immediate cessation of such attacks' and offered condolences to families of seafarers killed.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal outlined the group's mandate at a briefing in New Delhi on 9 October 2026 .
The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF S4), co-led by India and Liberia, has set its sights on placing the protection of seafarers and commercial shipping at the heart of global multilateral discourse, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday, 9 October 2026. The group aims to strengthen international cooperation to shield ships and their crews from escalating attacks in the Gulf and the Black Sea.
What the GoF S4 Is and How It Was Formed
India and Liberia formally launched the GoF S4 on 25 September, bringing together countries and stakeholders central to the commercial maritime industry — including major shipping nations, lead service providers, and countries with large seafaring communities. The group's inaugural meeting in New York was co-presided by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, with 25 countries in attendance.
What India and Liberia Condemned
On Thursday, the permanent missions of India and Liberia to the United Nations jointly and strongly condemned a series of attacks on commercial vessels and seafarers in the Gulf region and the Black Sea. In a joint statement, both nations described the attacks as 'simply indefensible' and called for 'an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interest of peace and stability in the region.'
The statement also extended 'deepest condolences to the families of the seafarers who have lost their lives' and expressed prayers for the 'early recovery of those injured.'
What India's MEA Said at the Briefing
Addressing the bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal outlined the group's core mandate. 'The idea is to get them together so that we can bring the issue of the safety of our seafarers and the issue of the safety of commercial shipping to the centre of global discourse and discussion, and we can enhance international cooperation and operations so as to ensure that commercial shipping is not impacted, they are not attacked, and the seafarers are safe and secure,' Jaiswal said.
Why This Initiative Matters
India is one of the world's largest suppliers of seafarers, making maritime security a matter of direct national interest. The Gulf and Black Sea corridors are critical arteries for global energy and cargo trade, and sustained attacks on commercial vessels in these regions pose systemic risks to supply chains worldwide. This comes amid a broader pattern of maritime insecurity that has drawn condemnation from multiple governments and international bodies. The GoF S4 represents a structured diplomatic channel specifically designed to coordinate multilateral responses — a notable escalation from bilateral condemnations to coalition-building at the UN level.
What Comes Next
India and Liberia have stated they stand ready to support further coordination to discourage the recurrence of such attacks and to safeguard the rights of seafarers. The group is expected to expand engagement with additional member countries and stakeholders in the commercial shipping and maritime industry in the coming weeks.
Point of View
The window for soft diplomacy is narrowing. India's willingness to name specific regions and call for an 'immediate cessation' signals a harder edge than routine MEA statements, but accountability mechanisms remain unspecified.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF S4)?
The GoF S4 is a multilateral group co-led by India and Liberia, launched on 25 September at the United Nations, to bring seafarer safety and commercial shipping security to the forefront of global diplomatic discussion. Its inaugural meeting in New York drew 25 member countries and was co-presided by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti.
Why did India and Liberia condemn attacks in the Gulf and Black Sea?
Both countries, as co-chairs of the GoF S4, jointly condemned a series of attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf region and the Black Sea, calling them 'simply indefensible.' They called for an immediate halt to the attacks and extended condolences to the families of seafarers killed.
Why is India particularly invested in maritime security?
India is one of the world's largest suppliers of seafarers, making the safety of crew members a matter of direct national concern. Disruptions in the Gulf and Black Sea corridors also affect India's energy imports and trade flows, giving New Delhi a strong strategic interest in stabilising these routes.
What is the GoF S4 aiming to achieve?
The group seeks to consolidate countries and stakeholders in the commercial shipping and maritime sectors to enhance international cooperation, deter attacks on vessels and crews, and safeguard the rights of seafarers globally. India and Liberia have indicated readiness to support further coordination to prevent recurrence of such attacks.
What happens next for the GoF S4?
India and Liberia have said they are ready to broaden coordination within the group. The GoF S4 is expected to engage additional member nations and maritime industry stakeholders in the weeks ahead, building on the momentum of its first 25-country meeting at the UN.
