Evian-Les-Bains (France), June 17
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged world leaders to ensure that seafarers can work without fear, days after three Indian mariners were killed in a US military strike in the Gulf of Oman.
Addressing an outreach session at the G7 summit on Tuesday, attended by US President Donald Trump and other leaders, Modi said secure maritime routes were essential for global trade and economic stability. He noted that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz had affected the world economy and cost Indian lives.
His remarks come amid growing anger in India over the deaths of three Indian crew members in a US attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman last week. The issue was raised a day before Modi’s scheduled bilateral talks with President Trump.
“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,” Modi said during a session titled Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity.
Highlighting the human cost of the crisis, the Prime Minister said seafarers play a vital role in connecting nations through global trade and deserve protection.
“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 had taken action against three vessels — Marivex, Settebello and Jalveer — alleging they were attempting to violate a US blockade of Iranian ports.
Turning to broader global challenges, Modi stressed that trust had become the world’s most valuable strategic asset.
“Today’s world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before,” he said. Sharing details,the Prime Minister said that energy security, food supplies, health systems, cyber security and economic prosperity increasingly depend on cooperation across borders.
He argued that strong partnerships could only be built on trust — trust that technology and supply chains would be used for the common good, that development opportunities would be shared more widely, and that international institutions would meet the aspirations of all nations.
Modi also spoke about the expectations of countries in the Global South, saying they wanted to be treated as equal partners in shaping global development rather than simply receiving assistance.
“Today, the Global South has high expectations of the global community. However, what they seek is not merely support, but partnership. They aspire to be partners in global development, not just beneficiaries,” he said.
“International cooperation should be based on dignity, equality and shared progress. We must move beyond the donor-recipient mindset and work as equal partners. We should walk together, side by side. Partnership must be rooted in dignity, not dependency,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi said such an approach would help build a stronger foundation for sustainable development for future generations.
