New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- Amid ongoing discussions over regional security and maritime trade threats, former Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Vidya Bhushan Soni has called for the urgent establishment of protected maritime corridors, asserting that civilian cargo vessels must be shielded from active hostilities.

Speaking with ANI regarding the high-level talks between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Ukrainian counterpart regarding attacks on commercial vessels, the situation in the Black Sea, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, the former envoy noted that while Kyiv offered formal condolences, its primary focus remained on pushing India to take on a more active mediation role.

Highlighting the gravity of civilian shipping...