Several Indians killed: PM Modi raises sailors' safety at G7 as Trump looks on

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 17 raised concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers and the wider impact of the West Asia conflict while addressing the Outreach Session at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, with US President Donald Trump seated alongside him.

Highlighting the human and economic toll of the conflict, Modi said the ongoing tensions had claimed lives, damaged property and disrupted critical maritime trade routes, affecting economies across the region and beyond.

"We welcome the progress made in peace efforts in West Asia. This conflict has caused loss of life and property in our friendly countries in the region. Disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz have affected the global economy. Several Indian civilians have also lost their lives," the Prime Minister said.

His remarks come days after three Indian nationals were killed when US forces struck the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. The US Central Command had earlier said it acted against three vessels carrying Indian crew members, MT Marivex on 8 June, MT Settebello on 10 June and MT Jalveer on June 11, alleging violations of the US blockade on Iranian ports or involvement in transporting Iranian oil.

Subsequently, President Trump accused Iran of carrying out a failed drone attack on Indian vessels departing the Strait of Hormuz.

Call for safer sea lanes

Drawing attention to the growing risks faced by maritime workers, Modi underscored the importance of protecting global shipping routes and those who operate them.

"Ensuring the safety of seafarers, who connect nations through global maritime trade, is our collective responsibility. We must ensure that sea routes remain secure and that seafarers can carry out their duties without fear," he said.

The Prime Minister reiterated India's willingness to collaborate with international partners to address shared challenges and strengthen global cooperation.

"India stands fully prepared to work with all its partners on these important issues," he added.

According to PTI, Modi raised the issue a day before his scheduled bilateral meeting with Trump.

Global South seeks equal partnership

During his address, Modi said nations of the Global South are no longer seeking assistance but meaningful partnerships that allow them to actively shape the global development agenda.

"Today, the Global South has high expectations from the international community. However, what they seek is not assistance, but partnership. They do not wish to remain beneficiaries of global development; they want to become participants in it," he said.

Calling for a shift away from traditional donor-recipient relationships, he argued that international cooperation should be rooted in equality, dignity and shared responsibility.

"We must move beyond the donor-recipient mindset and work as equal partners. We must walk together, not merely alongside one another. Partnerships must be associated with dignity rather than dependency. Through such efforts, we can lay a strong foundation for sustainable development for future generations," he said.

He added that meaningful global solidarity could only emerge when countries work collectively to tackle common challenges.

"India firmly believes that the lasting resolution of tensions and conflicts in different parts of the world can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy and international cooperation," Modi said.

World facing trust deficit

The Prime Minister also warned of a growing erosion of trust in international affairs, describing it as one of the defining challenges facing the global community.

"Today, the world does not suffer from a shortage of resources; it suffers from a shortage of trust. And the future of our partnerships depends on building this trust. Today, the most important strategic asset is not a mineral, technology, or market, but mutual trust," he said.

Modi and Trump meet at G7

Modi delivered his address during the outreach session with Trump seated beside him. Earlier, the two leaders briefly interacted following the traditional G7 group photograph, exchanging a handshake and a few words before joining fellow leaders at the summit venue.

The interaction marked their first face-to-face meeting since Modi's visit to Washington in February 2025.

India attended the summit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The appearance marked India's 13th participation as a partner country and Modi's seventh consecutive attendance at the G7 summit.