- By Ajeet Kumar
- Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:57 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- PM Modi urged secure maritime routes, seafarer safety at G7.
- Follows deaths of three Indian mariners in US strike.
- Stressed mutual trust, dialogue for global peace and prosperity.
All countries must ensure that maritime routes remain secure and that seafarers can perform their duties without fear, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a gathering of G7 leaders, including US President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, days after three Indian mariners were killed in a US military strike in the Gulf of Oman. Unlike earlier meetings, this time, the Indian leader refrained from hugging the US President. PM Modi held a brief talk with Trump, only after a handshake. This was understood as a message to the US amid the rift between the two nations over several issues, including trade talks and the recent attacks on ships.
The interactions with world leaders continue at the G7 Summit in Evian.@G7 pic.twitter.com/ZOrAaffrcX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 16, 2026
The prime minister, addressing an outreach session of the G7 summit, said India firmly believes lasting solutions to conflicts can only be found through dialogue, diplomacy and international cooperation.
PM Modi raises Indian seafearers death at G7
PM Modi said disruptions to maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz have harmed the global economy and that many Indian citizens have lost their lives in the conflict. PM Modi's comments on underlining the importance of ensuring the safety of seafarers came against the backdrop of growing anger in India over the killing of the three Indian crew members in a US military attack on a merchant ship off the coast of Oman last week.
PM Modi raised the issue a day ahead of his bilateral talks with the US president.
India welcomes West Asia peace efforts
"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," PM Modi said in his address on the session 'Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity'.
The prime minister said disruptions to maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz have hit the global economy. "It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the seafarers who connect all nations through global maritime trade. We must ensure that maritime routes remain secure and that seafarers can perform their duties without fear," he said.
The US Central Command said it initiated action to disable the three vessels Marivex on June 8, Settebello on June 9 and Jalveer on June 11, saying they were trying to violate the US blockade of Iranian ports.
PM Modi stresses over mutual trust
In his address, PM Modi, delving into geopolitical upheavals and developments, stressed the need for "trust" among countries. He argued that the most important strategic asset is not minerals, technology, or markets today, but mutual trust.
The prime minister said that in an interconnected world, where energy, food, health, cyber, and economic security are intertwined, building international partnerships was a necessity for the progress and prosperity of humanity. He noted that trade and technology were being misused for narrow interests, leading to a trust deficit in the international arena. "Today's world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. A nation's energy, food, health, and cybersecurity, as well as its economic prosperity, are not determined solely within its own borders. Mobility, data, capital, and technology all connect us," he said.
"In such times, the importance of partnerships naturally grows. However, partnerships succeed only when trust lies at their core," he said.
The prime minister elaborated on the importance of trust for the development and prosperity of the globe. "The trust that technology and supply chains will be used for the global good, rather than as weapons. The trust that development opportunities will not be limited to just a few countries. The trust that global institutions will be capable of fulfilling the aspirations of all nations," he said.
G7 Summit 2026
PM Modi has travelled to France for the G7 summit as India was invited as a guest country to the summit. The Group of 7 (G7) brings together seven of the world's most advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union is also a member of the bloc. The G7 serves as the forum of choice for its members to discuss and coordinate action in response to major economic, financial and geopolitical challenges on the global stage. PM Modi arrived in Evian-les-Bains after concluding his two-day trip to Slovakia.
(With inputs from agency)