Evian [France], June 17 (ANI): 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)
