Modi Raises Seafarers' Safety with Trump; US President Says America Will Defend India if Attacked
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
By Mahima Katal
Evian-les-Bains (France), June 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday raised concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers during talks with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, while both leaders sought to strengthen bilateral ties after a period of diplomatic strain.
The meeting comes amid growing concern in India following the deaths of three Indian crew members in recent US military strikes in the Gulf of Oman.
During the discussions, Modi welcomed ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in West Asia and stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for global trade. He underscored the need to ensure the safety and security of civilians, particularly seafarers operating in the region.
"Keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for the global economy. India has consistently emphasised freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime personnel," Modi said.
Highlighting the contribution of Indian seafarers to global trade, the Prime Minister noted that hundreds of thousands of Indians work across international shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. He expressed confidence that the US-led peace initiative with Iran would prioritise their security.
"Indian seafarers make a significant contribution to global maritime trade, and their safety remains of utmost importance to us," Modi said.
Trump described India as a key strategic partner and assured support in the event of any security threat to the country.
"If India were attacked, we would be there to help them," Trump said, while emphasising the strong relationship between New Delhi and Washington.
The US President also indicated that negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement were nearing completion, saying both sides were "very close" to finalising the deal. He praised Modi as a "tough negotiator" and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening ties with India.
Following the meeting, Modi said the two leaders reviewed progress in cooperation across trade, energy, defence, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
Trump also signalled his intention to visit India, although no timeline was announced.
The talks marked another step in efforts by both countries to rebuild relations after a difficult period that saw disagreements over US tariff measures, immigration policies, H-1B visa regulations, and Trump's repeated claims regarding his role in de-escalating the India-Pakistan military tensions of 2025.
India has consistently maintained that the cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan resulted from direct talks between the two countries and not external mediation.
Relations faced fresh challenges recently following the deaths of three Indian sailors in US military operations near Oman. Responding to questions on the incident, Trump acknowledged the deaths and said both countries would work together on the issue.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the Modi-Trump meeting as "highly productive," saying the leaders held substantive discussions on trade, regional security, and expanding economic cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi attended the G7 Summit as India was invited as a guest nation. The summit, hosted in France, brings together leaders of the world's major advanced economies to discuss pressing global economic, financial, and geopolitical challenges.
