India, Sept. 26 -- India and Liberia on Friday announced establishing a "group of friends" on the safety and security of shipping and seafarers, a landmark maritime initiative launched amid continued attacks on commercial shipping.

The initiative was launched at the ministerial-level meeting of the group of 'Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers' on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly.

"India, as a major source of seafarers, and Liberia, as the largest shipping registry, have come together to highlight the safety and security of shipping and seafarers," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said at the meeting. Jaishankar listed recent incidents of attacks against seafarers and ships, saying "regrettably" t...