Touch With World
Prime Minister Narendra Modi prominently raised the issue of safe maritime routes and the security of seafarers during the G7 Summit held in France. He said that the ongoing conflict in West Asia has caused loss of life and property to several countries, and some Indian citizens have also lost their lives as a result of the conflict.
Addressing the summit, the Prime Minister stated that “global maritime trade is the backbone of the world economy, and ensuring the security of sea routes is a shared responsibility of all nations.” He added that seafarers should be able to carry out their duties without fear.
Three Indian Sailors Killed in Attack
The Prime Minister’s remarks came at a time when three Indian sailors were killed in a US military strike on the commercial vessel Setebelo near the coast of Oman on June 9. The ship had a total of 24 Indian crew members on board, of whom 21 were rescued safely.
In addition, two other vessels carrying Indian crew members in the Gulf region also came under attack, although no casualties were reported on those ships.
Meeting with Trump
During the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Modi also met US President Donald Trump. This was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders following “Operation Sindoor” and the tariffs imposed by the United States on India.
India had been invited to the G7 Summit as a guest country. The summit was attended by the world’s leading developed economies, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
What Did PM Modi Say?
In his address, Prime Minister Modi said that today’s world is more interconnected than ever before and that a country’s energy, food, health, cyber, and economic security are no longer determined solely within its borders.
He stated that the most important strategic asset today is not any mineral, technology, or market, but rather mutual trust among nations. He also emphasized the need to make global institutions more effective and inclusive.
Opposition Targets the Government
Following the Prime Minister’s remarks, opposition parties criticized him. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate wrote on social media platform X that “the Prime Minister mentioned the deaths of Indian sailors but avoided naming the United States.” She alleged that despite the deaths of three Indian citizens, the government was refraining from speaking openly against the US.
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh also criticized the government, saying that “despite attacks on Indian vessels, the central government continues to maintain a soft stance toward the United States.”
India Had Lodged a Protest
After the incident, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conveyed India’s strong protest. India expressed concern and described the strike as inappropriate.
However, the US State Department stated that “violations of the American blockade in the Gulf region and the illegal transportation of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.”
Rahul Gandhi Attacks the Central Government
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also criticized the central government over the issue. He said that “even after the deaths of three Indian sailors, the United States neither expressed regret nor issued an apology.”
Rahul Gandhi alleged that “India should adopt a stronger stance on the safety of its citizens and matters concerning national dignity.”
Parliamentary and Political Debate
Prime Minister Modi’s decision to raise the issue of maritime security and the deaths of Indian citizens at the G7 Summit is being viewed as significant. However, because he did not directly name the United States, opposition parties have described it as a diplomatic weakness and intensified their political criticism of the government.
The issue is expected to become a subject of parliamentary discussion and political debate in the coming days.
