Modi flags seafarer safety, Global South concerns at G7 meeting with Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Wednesday, their first since a strain in ties last year. During the meeting, Modi raised India's concerns over the safety of Indian seafarers and the disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global trade route.

The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since February 28, when conflict erupted between the United States and Iran. The disruption has caused fuel and fertiliser prices to spike in India, impacting the economy. Modi emphasised the need to protect the welfare of sailors and ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels.

In a separate development, US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed an agreement on Thursday to halt hostilities and revive negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme. The deal, effective immediately, sets a 60-day timeline for broader talks. Iran will reduce its enriched uranium stockpile, while the US will ease sanctions, allowing Iran to resume unrestricted oil exports. The agreement is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within a month, restoring normal shipping traffic.

During the G7 session, Modi also called for a financial lifeline for the Global South, warning that disruptions in fuel, fertiliser, and food supply chains caused by the West Asian conflict would affect the most vulnerable countries for a considerable period. He urged global financial institutions to develop support systems for affected nations.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two leaders reviewed progress under the India-US COMPACT framework, covering defence, trade, energy, and people-to-people ties. Trump appeared conciliatory on issues such as the long-pending trade deal and mobility of Indian professionals.