PM Modi Reiterates Indian Seafarers' Security Concerns At Bilateral Meet, Trump Defends US Action

Evian: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday again raised concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz during the bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France. PM Modi asserted that the freedom of navigation should be ensured. However, Trump defended the US action, by calling seafaring a "rough" profession."We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured and we should also stress upon that. Lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that their security is equally important...I am confident that in the deal (with Iran) security of seafarers will be ensured and prioritised," the Prime Minister told

Trump during the bilateral meeting.

#WATCH | Evian, France | PM Modi tells US President Trump, "We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured and we should also stress upon that. Lakhs of Indian seafarers are om duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that… pic.twitter.com/zeELdPyozB

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2026

Notably, three Indian sailors lost their lives after US forces reportedly attacked oil tanker MT Settebello off the Oman coast near the Strait of Hormuz on June 9. apart from MT Settebello, MT Marivex and MT Jalveer tankers, carrying Indian crew members, were also targeted by the US forces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dpmXZJKedE

On June 12 and 13, another oil tanker with an Indian crew on board came under attack near the Strait of Hormuz. Sources claimed that the Hong Kong-flagged Bockem Marengo vessel was attacked by drones. It is not clear about who carried out the attack.Trump's Response:Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's concerns over the deaths of Indian seafarers killed in a US strike off the Oman coast, Trump said he had been informed about the incident. Defending the US action, he called seafaring a :rough" profession."

VIDEO | Evian, France: During a bilateral meeting with PM Modi, US President Donald Trump says, "... Iran took advantage of the world. Nobody did anything. The Obama deal was one of the dumbest deals I've ever seen. It was a road to a nuclear weapon. My deal is a wall to a… pic.twitter.com/kS8XrWYXqi

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 17, 2026

"I heard about that. It's a rough profession. There's no question about it... This has been happening throughout time. But we work together. We love all of those people. They're great people," the US President said.On Tuesday also, PM Modi highlighted the deaths of Indian seafarers in a US military strike while speaking at the Outreach Session on ‘Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity’ at the G7 Summit.