Safety of Indian seafarers of high priority for us, PM tells Trump after sailor deaths
Days after three Indian sailors were killed in a US strike in the Gulf, PM Modi urged Donald Trump to ensure freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told US President Donald Trump that the safety and security of lakhs of Indian seafarers is of paramount importance to India, highlighting New Delhi's concerns over the recent attacks on vessels in the Gulf carrying Indian crew members. The US President assured that Washington and New Delhi will "work together" to address the issue, as the both leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
"We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured and we should also stress upon that. Lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that their security is equally important," Prime Minister Modi told Trump.
Several vessels carrying Indian crew members have come under attack in Gulf waters in recent weeks as the US enforced its blockage on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports. In one such attack, three Indian sailors were killed. The Opposition has accused the Prime Minister of failing to respond forcefully enough to the deaths of Indian nationals in attacks allegedly linked to a foreign country.
The Prime Minister, raising the issue with the US President, also expressed hope that the peace agreement with Iran would include provisions to ensure the safety and security of seafarers and the freedom of maritime navigation.
"I am confident that in the deal (with Iran) security of seafarers will be ensured and prioritised," he added.
Responding to the Prime Minister's remarks, Trump promised that the United States would "work together" with India to address the issue.
"I heard about that. It's a rough profession. There's no question about it, and we will work together on it. This has been happening throughout time, but we work together on it. We love, we love all of those people. They're great people," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated President Donald Trump on the Iran peace deal, which has been announced and is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday. “I commend you for your leadership in advancing peace efforts in West Asia,” Modi said.
Trump, when asked if he expects India to play any role in West Asia, said, "I think India plays a big role in everything." "As long as he (PM Narendra Modi) is the leader, India is going to play a big role," the US President added.
TRUMP HAILS INDIA-US PARTNERSHIP
Reaffirming the strong ties between New Delhi and Washington, Trump said, "As long as I am President, India will always have a great friend in the White House. Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this man, he added, referring to PM Modi.
Calling it a "great relationship," Trump said the United States would stand by India and support the country in the event of any attack against it.
"I think it is a great relationship. If they were attacked, we would be there to help them. If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there. If they are attacked and he (PM Modi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help," he added.
Further commending the Prime Minister's statesmanship, Trump remarked that although he appears angelic, he is a tough negotiator and trader.
"He's a very tough negotiator. You look at this man. I'll give you a lesson. He's the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel. Actually, he's as tough as he is a killer. But he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise. People say he's such a nice man. I said he's very tough. He's a tough trader," Trump said.
Prime Minister Modi and Trump met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, marking their first in-person talks in more than 16 months. The meeting sought to reset ties following geopolitical frictions over tariffs, unresolved trade negotiations and India's oil purchases, while reinforcing relations between the world's two largest democracies.
PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday told US President Donald Trump that the safety and security of lakhs of Indian seafarers is of paramount importance to India, highlighting New Delhi's concerns over the recent attacks on vessels in the Gulf carrying Indian crew members. The US President assured that Washington and New Delhi will "work together" to address the issue, as the both leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
"We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured and we should also stress upon that. Lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that their security is equally important," Prime Minister Modi told Trump.
Several vessels carrying Indian crew members have come under attack in Gulf waters in recent weeks as the US enforced its blockage on the Strait of Hormuz and Iranian ports. In one such attack, three Indian sailors were killed. The Opposition has accused the Prime Minister of failing to respond forcefully enough to the deaths of Indian nationals in attacks allegedly linked to a foreign country.
The Prime Minister, raising the issue with the US President, also expressed hope that the peace agreement with Iran would include provisions to ensure the safety and security of seafarers and the freedom of maritime navigation.
"I am confident that in the deal (with Iran) security of seafarers will be ensured and prioritised," he added.
Responding to the Prime Minister's remarks, Trump promised that the United States would "work together" with India to address the issue.
"I heard about that. It's a rough profession. There's no question about it, and we will work together on it. This has been happening throughout time, but we work together on it. We love, we love all of those people. They're great people," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated President Donald Trump on the Iran peace deal, which has been announced and is scheduled to be formally signed on Friday. “I commend you for your leadership in advancing peace efforts in West Asia,” Modi said.
Trump, when asked if he expects India to play any role in West Asia, said, "I think India plays a big role in everything." "As long as he (PM Narendra Modi) is the leader, India is going to play a big role," the US President added.
TRUMP HAILS INDIA-US PARTNERSHIP
Reaffirming the strong ties between New Delhi and Washington, Trump said, "As long as I am President, India will always have a great friend in the White House. Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this man, he added, referring to PM Modi.
Calling it a "great relationship," Trump said the United States would stand by India and support the country in the event of any attack against it.
"I think it is a great relationship. If they were attacked, we would be there to help them. If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there. If they are attacked and he (PM Modi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help," he added.
Further commending the Prime Minister's statesmanship, Trump remarked that although he appears angelic, he is a tough negotiator and trader.
"He's a very tough negotiator. You look at this man. I'll give you a lesson. He's the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel. Actually, he's as tough as he is a killer. But he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise. People say he's such a nice man. I said he's very tough. He's a tough trader," Trump said.
Prime Minister Modi and Trump met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, marking their first in-person talks in more than 16 months. The meeting sought to reset ties following geopolitical frictions over tariffs, unresolved trade negotiations and India's oil purchases, while reinforcing relations between the world's two largest democracies.
PM Modi also held bilateral meetings with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
