Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the G7 Summit outreach session to underline the urgent need for safeguarding global maritime routes and protecting seafarers from conflict-related threats.
His remarks came only days after three Indian sailors were killed in a United States military strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman, an incident that has heightened concerns about maritime safety and stability in West Asia.
Speaking in the presence of US President Donald Trump and other world leaders, Modi emphasised that the safety of seafarers is a collective responsibility. He stated that maritime routes must remain secure so that those who connect nations through trade can perform their duties without fear.
His intervention was made during the session titled “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity,” where he highlighted the growing risks to maritime trade and the human cost of instability in the region.
The Prime Minister drew attention to the disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy and trade flows. He noted that such disruptions have adversely affected the world economy and have already resulted in the loss of Indian lives.
His remarks followed the deaths of three Indian crew members aboard the tanker Settebello, which was struck off the Omani coast last week. According to US Central Command, American forces targeted three vessels—Marivex on 8 June, Settebello on 9 June, and Jalveer on 11 June—alleging they were attempting to breach a US blockade of Iranian ports.
Modi’s intervention came just a day before his scheduled bilateral talks with President Trump on the sidelines of the summit. He welcomed progress in peace efforts in West Asia but stressed that the conflict has caused loss of life and property in friendly countries of the region. He expressed hope for stability in this strategically important area, which remains vital for energy security and global commerce.
Moving beyond maritime security, Modi argued that trust has become the world’s most valuable strategic asset in an era of increasing global interdependence. He explained that a nation’s energy, food, health, cyber security, and economic prosperity are no longer determined solely within its own borders.
Successful partnerships, he said, depend on confidence and reliability, and countries must trust that technology and supply chains will be used for the global good rather than as instruments of coercion.
He elaborated that trust must extend to ensuring that development opportunities are not limited to a few nations and that global institutions are capable of fulfilling the aspirations of all. Modi also advocated a stronger role for developing nations, stressing that the Global South seeks genuine partnerships rather than traditional aid relationships.
He noted that these countries aspire to be partners in global development, not merely beneficiaries, and that their expectations from the international community are high.
His remarks combined a strong call for maritime safety with a broader vision of equitable global cooperation, placing India firmly at the centre of discussions on both immediate security concerns and long-term international solidarity.
Agencies
