Days after three Indians were killed in the US Navy attack on a commercial vessel off the Oman coast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday raised the issue of seafarer safety during the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.
Addressing the Outreach Session on “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity” at the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian, Modi said that sea routes must remain secure and seafarers should be allowed to carry out their duties without fear.
“Ensuring the safety of seafarers, who connect nations through global maritime trade, is our collective responsibility. We must ensure that sea routes remain secure and that seafarers can carry out their duties without fear,” Modi said.
His remarks are seen as a message to US President Donald Trump, who seated beside him during the high-level session.
Earlier this month, three Indian mariners were killed, while 21 others were rescued after the US Navy attacked the vessel Settebello off the Oman coast near the Strait of Hormuz.
India condemned the incident and summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge a formal protest.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to raise India’s concerns over the incident.
Referring to the situation in West Asia and the US-Iran deal, PM Modi welcomed the progress made in peace efforts in the region, while highlighting the human and economic costs of the conflict.
“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. Disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz have affected the global economy. Several Indian civilians have also lost their lives,” the PM said.
A message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’
The Prime Minister also noted that India’s approach to international engagement is rooted in the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or “the world is one family”, further reiterating India’s commitment to supporting equitable and sustainable progress at the global level.
“India’s vision of international partnership is rooted in the timeless philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world is one family. The PM conveyed that India remains firmly committed to advancing sustainable and inclusive global development,” it added.
https://twiiter.com/narendramodi/status/2066915355910660353
PM Modi had arrived in the French city earlier on Tuesday to attend the high-profile gathering, following an official invitation from the French President. This special invitation marks India’s 13th appearance at the summit as a partner nation, alongside being the seventh consecutive time the Prime Minister is participating in the global forum.
Prior to the session, PM Modi and US President Donald Trump held a brief interaction following the traditional family photograph on the second day of the summit.
Visuals from the summit showed Prime Minister Modi approaching Trump as both greeted each other with a handshake.
The meeting between PM Modi and the US President was their first face-to-face interaction since the PM’s visit to Washington in February last year.
The Prime Minister and the US President also sat side by side at the G7 outreach session.
(With inputs from agencies)