Seated alongside US President Donald Trump at the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday raised the issue of Indian seafarers killed in US military strikes during the recent conflict in the Middle East.
Addressing the Outreach Session on "Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity" at the G7 Summit in Evian, France, PM Modi said the conflict had inflicted significant human and economic costs on countries across the region.
"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," PM Modi.
He raised the issue days after three Indian nationals died when US forces attacked the Palau-flagged oil tanker Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. The US Central Command said it acted against three vessels carrying Indian crew members -- MT Marivex on June 8, MT Settebello on June 10 and MT Jalveer on June 11 -- alleging that they had violated the US blockade on Iranian ports or were attempting to transport Iranian oil.
Days later, the US President blamed Iran for carrying out a failed drone attack against Indian ships departing the Strait of Hormuz.
Highlighting the wider impact of the West Asia conflict, he drew attention to disruptions in maritime trade and the risks faced by seafarers operating in key shipping corridors.
"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," he said.
He said India remained ready to work with all countries to address shared concerns and strengthen international cooperation.
"India stands fully prepared to work with all its partners on these important issues," he added.
PM Modi flagged the issue a day ahead of his bilateral talks with the US President, reported PTI.
Speaking at the summit session, he said countries of the Global South were no longer looking for assistance but for meaningful partnerships that would allow them to play a larger role in shaping global development.
"Today, the Global South has high expectations from the international community. However, what they seek is not assistance, but partnership. They do not wish to remain beneficiaries of global development; they want to become participants in it," he said.
Calling for a departure from traditional donor-recipient models, he said international cooperation must be built on equality, dignity and shared responsibility.
"We must move beyond the donor-recipient mindset and work as equal partners. We must walk together, not merely alongside one another. Partnerships must be associated with dignity rather than dependency. Through such efforts, we can lay a strong foundation for sustainable development for future generations," he said.
"International partnerships and global solidarity can become meaningful only when we collectively address shared challenges. India firmly believes that the lasting resolution of tensions and conflicts in different parts of the world can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, and international cooperation," he added.
The PM also used his address to highlight a growing trust deficit in international relations.
"Today, the world does not suffer from a shortage of resources; it suffers from a shortage of trust. And the future of our partnerships depends on building this trust. Today, the most important strategic asset is not a mineral, technology, or market, but mutual trust," he said.
PM Modi delivered the address while seated alongside US President Donald Trump during the outreach session.
Earlier in the day, the two leaders briefly interacted after the traditional G7 group photo. They exchanged a handshake and a few words before joining other leaders at the summit venue.
The interaction marked PM Modi and Trump's first face-to-face meeting since his visit to Washington in February last year.
India is attending the summit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. The appearance marks India's 13th participation as a partner country and PM Modi's seventh consecutive attendance at the G7 gathering.
Source: India Today