PM Modi Raises Indian Sailors Death Issue at G7 Summit with Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the G7 Summit held in the city of Evian, France, on Tuesday. During the summit, he strongly raised the critical issues of escalating tensions in West Asia and the growing insecurity of maritime trade routes. Addressing the G7 leaders, the Prime Minister expressed deep concern over the tragic death of Indian sailors in a recent US military strike. Notably, US President Donald Trump was present and seated next to the Prime Minister when these concerns were voiced directly in front of him.

Concerns Over West Asia and Maritime Security

In his address, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the progress of peace efforts in West Asia but highlighted the severe consequences of the ongoing conflict. He stated that the struggle has led to a significant loss of life and property in friendly countries within the region. He specifically pointed out that the disruption of maritime trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz has had a detrimental impact on the global economy. The Prime Minister emphasized that the safety of maritime sailors, who connect nations through global trade, is a collective responsibility, while he urged the international community to ensure that maritime routes remain safe so that sailors can perform their duties without fear.

The Settebello Incident and Indian Casualties

The Prime Minister's remarks come in the wake of a recent incident in the Gulf of Oman. The US military targeted the Settebello, a Palau-flagged oil tanker, resulting in the death of 3 Indian citizens. Reports indicate that the vessel had a 28 member crew, which included 24 Indians, 2 Pakistanis, 1 Ukrainian, and 1 Russian. The US military intercepted and attacked the tanker on allegations of violating a US blockade while transporting oil from Iran, while the US claimed the tanker was targeted because it was carrying Iranian oil in defiance of the standing blockade.

Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

The Settebello is the third merchant vessel involving Indian crew members to be caught in regional maritime incidents recently. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital maritime chokepoint, carrying a massive portion of the world's energy and commercial goods, connecting the Persian Gulf to international waters. Prime Minister Modi underscored the humanitarian and economic losses occurring in this region to the G7 leaders. He advocated for the protection of international maritime trade routes, asserting that the safety of sailors must be an integral part of global partnerships. For India, both energy security and maritime trade are crucial, as a large portion of its oil imports passes through this specific route.

Modi and Trump Meet After 16 Months

The G7 Summit also marked the first face-to-face meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump in 16 months. Amidst ongoing tensions in bilateral relations, the two leaders greeted each other and engaged in a brief conversation. They were seen shaking hands warmly before their short interaction. This meeting is significant as it's their first encounter since the Prime Minister's visit to Washington in February of the previous year. A formal bilateral meeting between the two leaders is proposed for Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit. This upcoming meeting is expected to cover all aspects of the relationship, including ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement and steps to enhance defense cooperation.