New Delhi, Oct. 7 -- India issued a stern condemnation of a series of hostile strikes on commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea, demanding an immediate halt to targeted maritime violence that directly endangers civilian infrastructure and international seafarers.

In a formal statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi detailed recent attacks involving three targeted merchant ships, the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, the Palau-flagged Able, and the Liberia-flagged oil tanker Aframax Rio, which together put dozens of Indian crew members in severe peril.

Highlighting the rescue operations underway, the ministry confirmed that seven Indian nationals were among the 18 crew members on board the Palau-flagged vessel Able...