PM Modi Raises Seafarers' Safety with Trump; U.S. Pledges Support for India's Security
On the margins of the G7 summit held in a French commune, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United States President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting on June 17, 2026, addressing a range of issues including the safety of Indian seafarers, the proposed U.S.-Iran peace deal, and the state of India-U.S. relations.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of protecting the hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers working on global maritime trade routes. He specifically urged that any peace agreement between the United States and Iran should incorporate provisions for their security. "The safety of our seafarers is of utmost importance to us," Mr. Modi said, expressing confidence that the issue would receive high priority in the implementation of the agreement.
The Prime Minister underscored the strategic imperative of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international commerce. "You and I agree that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for the global economy. India has consistently emphasised the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation, and we should work together on it," he stated.
In response, President Trump described the talks as "great" and praised Mr. Modi as a "tough negotiator." He announced plans to visit India, though without specifying a date, and reaffirmed the close ties between the two countries. "As long as I am at the White House, India has a friend in the U.S.," Mr. Trump said, adding that the United States would extend support to India in the event of any security challenges or external aggression.
The meeting came at a time when bilateral relations had been under severe strain. Tensions escalated following Washington's imposition of punitive tariffs on Indian goods and President Trump's repeated claims that he had personally intervened to de-escalate the India-Pakistan military clashes of May 2025. Indian officials firmly rejected these claims, asserting that the ceasefire was a result of direct talks between New Delhi and Islamabad. Additional friction arose from changes in U.S. immigration policy and an increase in H1B visa fees that adversely affected Indian professionals.
A more recent point of contention was the killing of three Indian crew members of a merchant vessel during U.S. military strikes off the coast of Oman. The incident sparked widespread outrage in India. When asked about the deaths, President Trump acknowledged the tragedy, calling it a "rough profession," and said, "We will work together" to address the issue.
Despite these challenges, both leaders expressed a desire to mend ties. President Trump voiced optimism about the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade deal, describing India as a major global player. "India plays a big role in everything as long as he (Modi) is the leader," he remarked, signalling Washington's recognition of New Delhi's growing influence.
Prime Minister Modi, for his part, complimented Mr. Trump's efforts toward ending the West Asia conflict and reiterated India's commitment to collaborative security in the region. The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen cooperation in trade, strategic affairs, and the protection of workers vital to global supply chains.
