India has summoned Ukraine’s top diplomat in New Delhi to protest an attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Black Sea that killed an Indian national.

The Indian foreign ministry said on Monday it had summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk over the attack on the MV Omforfi earlier this month. The ship had three Indian nationals on board, one of whom was killed.

“The ministry conveyed its serious concern over the incident and condemned such attacks on commercial shipping in the strongest terms,” it said in a statement, and asked Polishchuk to tell Kyiv that such actions, “which endanger the lives of innocent civilian seafarers, are unacceptable and must be avoided.”

India has pursued its strategic autonomy throughout the Russia–Ukraine war, acting in its own national interests and keeping diplomatic channels open with both sides. Monday’s protest fits that posture of neutrality and multi-alignment, which lets New Delhi put the safety of its citizens first.

India also summoned a Russian envoy last week, after an attack on a cargo ship leaving Ukraine killed four Indians. It has not condemned Moscow over the 2022 invasion and has increased its imports of discounted Russian oil. At the same time, it has pressed for a peaceful resolution and provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine, a recognition that Kyiv matters to its broader relationship with the West.