Geneva, Oct. 9 -- India and Liberia have strongly condemned a series of attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea over the past few days, calling for an immediate cessation of such incidents in the interest of peace and regional stability.

In a joint statement issued as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF on S4), the two countries described the attacks as unacceptable and said they disrupted maritime trade and cost innocent lives.

"India and Liberia, as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers (GoF on S4), strongly condemn the string of unacceptable attacks that commercial ships and seafarers have been...