India, Sept. 13 -- At the 18th Brics Summit at Bharat Mandapam on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed that member countries build a shared distress and rescue network for seafarers, part of a wider call for Brics partners to reform global governance.

The proposal comes after at least 15 Indian merchant seafarers have died in two conflict theatres over the past nine months.

Hours later, the ministry of ports, shipping and waterways released a National Seafarer Emergency Support Network action plan - touting what the document described as the domestic foundation of Modi's international proposal, formalising an architecture the government has been assembling since August under shipping ministry's "seafarer-first" initiative.

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