Seafarer safety leads Modi Trump talks as US Iran deal and India US ties are reviewed at G7

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised seafarer safety with US President Donald Trump at the G7, calling for top priority during implementation of Washington’s Iran peace deal. The discussion also covered repairing India US relations, a proposed trade deal, and cooperation in energy, defence, technology, and people to people ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised seafarers’ safety with US President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Modi urged that protection stay central during Washingtons peace deal with Iran. The talks took place on the margins of the G7 summit in a French commune. The leaders also discussed steps to ease strain in India-US ties.

The meeting came amid anger in India after three Indian crew members died in US strikes. The strikes hit a merchant ship in the Gulf of Oman. Trump called India a key partner during the interaction. Trump also said both sides were near a proposed trade deal. Trump gave no timeline for completion.

India-US ties and trade deal talks

After the meeting, Modi said both leaders reviewed progress across several areas. Modi listed trade, energy, defence, technology and people-to-people links. Modi also spoke about West Asia during televised comments. Modi said India welcomed steps towards restoring peace and stability. Modi stressed that civilian security should stay important.

Trump said India mattered across global issues and in West Asia. "I think India plays a big role in everything. As long as hes the leader, Indias going to play a big role,\" Trump said. Trump also addressed reports of strained ties. \"As long as Im president, they have a great friend in the White House,\" Trump said.

Seafarers safety and Strait of Hormuz

Modi linked the Iran peace deal to maritime security concerns. \"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 and place a particular emphasis on that,\" Modi said.

Modi highlighted the scale of the Indian workforce at sea. \"You are aware that in the world of maritime trade, hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers are working and performing their duties across global maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, and making a huge contribution to the progress of the world and their safety is of utmost importance to us,\" Modi said.

Modi praised Trumps role on West Asia and linked it to stability. \"I commend you for your leadership on the progress that has been made in the efforts to restore peace in West Asia. Thanks to your efforts, Mr President, new hope for peace and stability in the region has been kindled and we hope that this will lead to a long-standing peace in the region,\" Modi said.

Modi said safety should remain a top concern in implementation. \"Mr President, you have made tremendous efforts towards reaching this understanding and this agreement and Im confident that this agreement will ensure the security of seafarers and this issue will receive highest priority,\" Modi said.

US comments on defence support and seafarers deaths

Trump said the US would support India in case of an attack. \"I think its a great relationship. I can tell you this – without having a contract, we dont have a contract – but if they were attacked, we would be there to help them,\" Trump said. Trump also said the meeting was great and praised Modi.

When asked about the three deaths, Trump said he knew about them. \"I heard about that the deaths, its a rough profession, no question about it,\" Trump said, adding, \"We will work together.\" Trump also spoke about a future visit. The US president said he would travel to India.

Trump also praised Modis negotiating style in trade discussions. \"I just want to say hes been my friend for a long time now and weve always had a great relationship and its great to be with you,\" Trump said. \"Hes a very tough negotiator, one of the toughest, actually. So you look at this man, Ill give you a lesson. Hes the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, hes like an angel. But actually, hes tough,\" Trump said.

Trump continued with comments about how Modi is viewed by others. \"People say he is such a nice man. I said hes very, very tough. Hes a tough negotiator and he loves the Indian people, but he also loves the US,\" Trump added. On jobs and visas, Trump said the US have had a tremendous relationship with India in terms of employment.

Background on India-US ties and G7 summit

India-US ties had weakened over the past year due to several issues. The US imposed punitive tariffs on India. Trump also claimed a role in de-escalating the May 2025 India–Pakistan clashes. Indian officials objected to those statements. New Delhi said talks between India and Pakistan ended the hostilities.

Washingtons new immigration policy added to the friction. The US decision to raise the H1B visa fee also affected the relationship. Both sides then tried to rebuild ties in recent months. Efforts also continued on a mutually beneficial trade deal. Relations faced fresh strain last week after three Indian sailors died in US attacks.

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described the talks positively. \"The two leaders held substantive talks on trade, regional security, and deepening economic partnership on the sidelines of the G7 Summit,\" Sergio Gor said. Modi attended the summit after India was invited as a guest country. The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The European Union is also a member of the bloc. The forum is used to discuss global economic and security challenges. Modi arrived in Evian-les-Bains after a two-day trip to Slovakia. The Modi-Trump meeting formed part of wider outreach during the summit. The talks also occurred amid scrutiny over maritime safety in the region.

With inputs from PTI