Modi raises seafarers' safety with Trump, seeks protection for them in Iran deal

Business 17 Jun, 2026

Modi raises seafarers' safety with Trump, seeks protection for them in Iran deal

Business To Business, New Delhi, 17^th June, 2026: Narendra Modi on Wednesday raised the issue of seafarers' safety with Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
The discussion came against the backdrop of growing concern in India following the deaths of three Indian crew members in American military strikes on a merchant vessel in the Gulf region.
During the meeting, Modi:

Emphasized the safety and security of seafarers operating in conflict-prone maritime zones.
Called for provisions to protect seafarers in Washington's proposed peace framework with Iran.
Highlighted the importance of safeguarding the interests of the large number of Indian sailors working on international shipping routes.

The Prime Minister noted that hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers contribute to global maritime trade and often operate in strategically sensitive regions.
The two leaders also discussed broader bilateral relations and agreed to take steps to strengthen cooperation after a period of strain in ties over the past year.
Areas of cooperation traditionally include:

Trade and investment.
Defence and security.
Technology and innovation.
Energy cooperation.
Indo-Pacific strategic issues.

Modi reportedly complimented Trump for efforts aimed at ending the conflict in West Asia while stressing that any peace arrangement should address the humanitarian and operational challenges faced by civilian maritime workers.
The issue has gained prominence because:

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.
Disruptions affect global energy supplies and trade.
Thousands of Indian nationals work in the international shipping industry.
Recent military actions in the region have heightened risks for commercial vessels and crews.

The meeting reflects India's effort to ensure that the safety of civilian seafarers is incorporated into broader diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring stability in West Asia while also seeking to strengthen engagement with the United States.