Modi said conflicts in the region have caused loss of life in “friendly countries” and stressed the responsibility to ensure seafarers can work safely without fear.
BY PC Bureau
June 17, 2026: At a G7 summit session attended by US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a diplomatic reference to the deaths of Indian seafarers amid recent tensions in West Asia, while stressing the need to safeguard global maritime routes and ensure protection of seafarers operating in conflict zones.
Modi avoided naming the United States, which has been involved in recent military strikes on vessels in the region that resulted in the deaths of Indian sailors.
Addressing world leaders in France, Modi focused on the broader humanitarian and economic fallout of instability in the region. He said he welcomed progress in peace efforts in West Asia but noted that the ongoing conflict had led to loss of life and property in “friendly countries” and was also disrupting global trade.
PM Modi sat next to Trump at the G7 table today and said this out loud.
PM Modi: Seafarers should be able to perform their duties without fear or threat to their lives.
No names, No accusations.
But everyone in that room knew exactly what he was referring to.
Three Indian… pic.twitter.com/SvsJtEzDLY
— Military Observer (@TheMilObserverr) June 16, 2026
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“Disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz have adversely affected the global economy,” the Prime Minister said, adding, “Several Indian civilians have also lost their lives.” He emphasised that ensuring the safety of seafarers—who form a crucial link in international trade—was a shared global responsibility.
“The safety of seafarers, who connect nations through global maritime trade, is our responsibility. We must ensure that sea routes remain secure and that seafarers can carry out their work without fear,” he said during the session on “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity” in Evian.
The remarks were made in the presence of G7 leaders at a time when concerns have been rising over the security of key shipping lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints for oil and cargo movement.
G7 मीटिंग में अपने संबोधन के अंत में प्रधानमंत्री मोदी ने देश का सिर झुका दिया.
उनका कायराना बयान इस देश के साथ एक भद्दा मज़ाक है, हमारे लोगों का अपमान है.
हिंदुस्तान के 3 नाविकों की अमेरिका ने क्रूर हत्या कर दी और नरेंद्र मोदी अमेरिका का नाम लेने की हिम्मत नहीं जुटा पाये. “कई… pic.twitter.com/K6aHdTSMNV
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) June 16, 2026
While the Prime Minister did not directly name the United States or refer to any specific incident, his comments came days after reports of Indian nationals being killed in attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman, triggering diplomatic concern from New Delhi.
The incident involving the tanker Settebello occurred earlier this week. The vessel had a crew of 28, including 24 Indian nationals and four others—two Pakistanis, one Ukrainian, and one Russian. US forces struck the tanker after it allegedly failed to follow instructions and was said to be carrying oil from Iran in violation of a US blockade.
This was one of three separate incidents involving merchant vessels with Indian crew members.
The US Central Command stated that action was taken against the vessels—Marivex, Settebello, and Jalveer—because they were allegedly attempting to violate the US blockade of Iranian ports. In the case of Jalveer, a combat aircraft reportedly fired two Hellfire missiles into the engine room after the crew failed to comply with instructions. All three vessels were foreign-flagged and none were Indian-owned.
India, meanwhile, has raised strong concerns over the incidents. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the US Navy’s role and said it had lodged a formal protest, summoning US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and conveying its “deepest concern.”
“We attach high importance to the welfare and well-being of our seafaring community… we lodged a strong protest with the American side,” the ministry said, adding that the government had clearly conveyed its objection to the repeated incidents.
