"Lakhs of Indians working as seafarers": PM Modi pushes for crew safety in meeting with Trump
Evian, June 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday emphasised maritime security and the protection of Indian sailors during a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, stressing the critical need to maintain open international shipping lanes.
Focusing on the human element of maritime commerce, PM Modi said that "lakhs of Indians are working as seafarers" and stressed that their safety remains a key priority amid ongoing developments in West Asia.
Tying the safety of these crew members directly to international economic stability, the Prime Minister focused heavily on the critical regional choke point.
"Keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for the global economy," PM Modi said, adding that he was confident the safety of seafarers would be given priority under the peace understanding between the United States and Iran.
Turning to the wider geopolitical framework that facilitated these maritime developments, the Prime Minister lauded the American President's diplomatic interventions in the region.
During the meeting, PM Modi also congratulated Trump for his role in the recent peace efforts in West Asia.
"I commend you for your leadership on the progress that has been made in the efforts to restore peace in West Asia," he told the US President.
Further validating Washington's diplomatic breakthrough, the Prime Minister added, "Thank you for rekindling hope for bringing peace to West Asia," PM Modi said during the talks.
Reciprocating this positive tone, the American President also briefed the media on the constructive trajectory of the discussion, particularly regarding economic cooperation.
Trump told reporters at the G7 Summit that he had a "very good" conversation with PM Modi and said the two countries were working on trade deals.
This high-level interaction carries immense diplomatic weight, as the meeting marked the first formal bilateral interaction between the two leaders in over 16 months and came amid efforts by both sides to stabilise ties after a period of friction.
Reflecting on the renewed momentum behind these reconciliation efforts, PM Modi said the two countries' teams had been working closely to achieve their shared targets and highlighted a "new speed and energy" in India-US relations.
These institutional efforts are playing out in real time, as the talks come while both countries continue negotiations on a proposed bilateral trade agreement.
Beyond commerce, the geopolitical environment has altered significantly, meaning the engagement is also taking place against the backdrop of shifting energy dynamics following the US-Iran peace efforts and the expected reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Against this backdrop of reopening sea lanes, maritime safety was a significant focus during the talks, with PM Modi highlighting the importance of protecting commercial shipping routes and ensuring the security of seafarers.
The urgency surrounding this discussion holds particular importance for India after three Indian sailors were killed earlier this month during US military strikes on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman.
When asked about the deaths of Indian sailors in recent US strikes, Trump expressed condolences.
"I heard about that. It's a rough profession, there's no question about it. And we work together on it. This has been happening throughout time, but we work together," he said.
"We love all of those people, and they're great people," Trump added.
The direct exchange follows a period of tense diplomatic communication, as New Delhi had previously raised strong objections with Washington over the incident.
The Prime Minister's advocacy at the bilateral level mirrored his broader address to the international community earlier in the day.
At the G7 outreach session earlier, PM Modi had also called for ensuring that maritime routes remain secure and that seafarers are able to perform their duties without fear.
This multi-layered diplomatic push comes after a challenging phase in India-US relations, which saw tensions over Washington's decision to impose punitive tariffs on Indian goods, Trump's repeated claims about his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military conflict, and changes in US immigration policies, including higher H-1B visa fees.
Addressing those specific geopolitical contentions, New Delhi has maintained that the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was achieved through direct talks between the two countries and not through US intervention.
Despite these underlying points of friction, the personal rapport between the two leaders remained highly visible, as Trump has frequently highlighted his personal equation with PM Modi.
Demonstrating this unique personal chemistry before their meeting today, Trump referred to the Prime Minister as "calm", "cool", and a "total killer" to emphasise his respect for PM Modi's political approach and negotiating skills.
India is attending the G7 Summit as a guest country.
The grouping includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the focus on seafarer safety, I hope this isn't just diplomatic posturing. Three Indian sailors lost their lives recently, and Trump's response calling it a "rough profession" felt dismissive. We need concrete action, not just condolence speeches. Still, kudos to PM Modi for pressing this issue at G7.
The sheer number of Indian seafarers working globally is staggering! We are literally keeping world trade moving. It's about time our leadership gave this sector the attention it deserves. The personal rapport between Modi and Trump seems to be yielding results on trade and security. Hope the Strait of Hormuz remains open for our oil imports. 🇮🇳
Trump calling Modi "calm, cool, total killer" - classic Trump! But on a serious note, the death of Indian sailors in US strikes is tragic. We need better mechanisms to ensure such incidents don't happen again. The bilateral trade deal and maritime security should go hand in hand. Let's see some real outcomes.
As someone from a coastal town, I know many families whose livelihoods depend on seafaring jobs. Every sailor's death sends shockwaves through entire communities. I'm glad Modi ji is raising this issue, but we also need to question - why did the US strike those vessels in the first place? There needs to be accountability.
Great diplomatic move by PM Modi - linking seafarer safety to global economic stability is smart. The Strait of Hormuz is critical for India's energy needs, and we can't
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.