"Civilian sailors should not be targets of combat": Shashi Tharoor on PM Modi-Trump G7 bilateral
New Delhi, June 19
Congress MP and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor, said on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed India's concerns to US President Donald Trump regarding the safety of civilian sailors amid ongoing conflicts, stressing that commercial seafarers should not become targets during wartime.
Speaking on the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, Tharoor said the Prime Minister made India's position clear in both public and private discussions with the US President.
"PM Modi made his point clear both in the public and private meetings with the President. It is important to convey the message that in wartime, civilian sailors on commercial ships should not be targets of combat. They are not soldiers, and that is the message Mr. Modi conveyed," Tharoor said.
Highlighting India's concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers, he added, "Beyond the general concern, we have Indian sailors on Indian-flagged vessels and others. If they are violating your blockade, find some other way of stopping them, but do not kill people."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting on Wednesday for the first time in 16 months on the sidelines of the G7 Summit held in Evian, France.
The Prime Minister raised concerns about the security of Indian seafarers operating not only near the Strait of Hormuz but also in the entire Gulf region. President Trump, meanwhile, described the Indian leader as a "good-looking guy" and a "tough negotiator."
PM Modi noted that "lakhs of Indians are working as seafarers" and stressed that their safety remains a key priority amid ongoing developments in West Asia.
Commenting on the US-Iran peace Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Tharoor welcomed the development but cautioned that its success would depend on implementation and a formal agreement.
"Everything will depend on implementation. The 10 to 12 points in the MoU seem to cover enough ground for both sides. This is just an MoU at the moment; we need a formal, comprehensive agreement. There could still be a 'slip between the cup and the lip,' but I believe we have a good beginning," he said.
On Israel's unhappiness regarding the proposed peace deal, Tharoor said all stakeholders must take a balanced approach and recognise the wider impact of the conflict on the international community.
"They have to be reasonable and understand that their security interests cannot dominate the entire world. Look at how many countries have suffered because of this war, which was fought essentially due to Israeli security interests. We respect Israel and want to see it survive as a state, but others also have a right to live in peace," the Congress leader said.
The Iran-US Memorandum of Understanding is a 14-point diplomatic framework signed to permanently terminate military hostilities, extend a ceasefire, and reopen maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. Brokered to halt active conflict, it sets a 60-day window for both nations to negotiate a comprehensive peace settlement.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see India taking a lead on humanitarian issues at the G7. But I wish Tharoor hadn't made it so political by immediately praising Modi's stance while also taking jabs at Israel. Can't we just focus on the safety of our seafarers without bringing in other conflicts? 🤷♀️
Tharoor is right—we've seen too many Indian sailors caught in crossfire in the Gulf over the years. The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial waterway for our energy security and trade. PM Modi's message to Trump was practical: don't kill civilians, find smarter ways to enforce blockades. This is what diplomacy should look like.
As someone who's worked with seafarers' unions, I can tell you this is a huge relief. Indian sailors are among the most hardworking in the world, and they deserve protection. But I'm skeptical about the MoU—we've seen many peace deals fail in the Middle East. Hope this one sticks, but Tharoor's caution about 'slip between cup and lip' is valid.
Tharoor speaking sense for once! But calling Trump a 'good-looking guy'? Seriously, PM Modi? We have bigger issues than flattering egos. Anyway, if this MoU reduces tensions and protects our sailors in the Gulf, I'm all for it. Just hope implementation doesn't get botched like so many other diplomatic efforts. 🤞
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