India Urges Protection For Civilian Ships & Seafarers Amid Rising Conflicts At G20 In Atlanta

Indian Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar asserted the Global South’s right to industrialize and called for an end to attacks on civilian vessels and seafarers.

At the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, the Indian Minister highlighted the need to safeguard freedom of navigation in compliance with international law, especially UNCLOS, Akashvani News reported.

On October 30, Friday, S Jaishankar said that the developing countries of the Global South are disproportionately bearing the consequences of the attacks on seafarers and civilian shipping, putting the availability and cost of fuel, food, and fertilizers at risk.

This sentiment followed the ongoing conflicts worldwide, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the heightening tensions in West Asia. At least 22 Indian nationals, including 14 seafarers, have died since the West Asian war in February 2026, PTI reported.

According to The Indian Eye, Jaishankar said that India is in talks with Russia, Ukraine and European countries on protecting civilian shipping and seafarers, restoring the flow of grain exports from Russia and Ukraine, and non-attack on energy infrastructure.

The Minister said that preventing energy attacks could be the most complicated of it all. He cited refineries, electricity grids, and fuel-carrying ships as his concerns.

In the final session of the G20 meeting, Jaishankar said that the right to industrialize should be protected. He warned against predatory practices. The session focused on supply chain resilience, where he called for more diversified production and manufacturing networks.

In a post on X, the Minister called for working towards the de-politicization of markets. He said that our right to industrialize is being compromised due to flooding of markets, restricting market access, weaponizing supply chains, and enabling market distortions. He said these practices “must cease”, and stressed the importance of building resilient and alternative connectivity as the world de-risks and diversifies.

After Atlanta, Dr Jaishankar is leading India’s delegation to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting from 1st to 4th November.

According to Akashvani News, the Indian EAM also took part in the QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting with Ministers from Japan, Australia, and the US. The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in the Miami area on 14 to 15 December, with the United States as its host.