Modi raises West Asia conflict and Strait of Hormuz security at G7 in France
Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his address to G7 leaders in Evian-les-Bains, eastern France, to call for rebuilding trust in international partnerships and to warn about the impact of conflict in West Asia on maritime security. He said the world is facing a shortage of trust and argued that the future of partnerships depends on restoring it. He also welcomed progress in peace efforts in West Asia while urging protection for shipping routes and seafarers.
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Modi said disruptions to maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz have harmed the global economy. He added that many Indian civilians have lost their lives in the conflict and that it is the responsibility of governments to ensure the safety of seafarers who connect countries through global trade. The remarks were made before leaders including US President Donald Trump, and came as Modi and Trump were due to hold a structured bilateral meeting on the summit sidelines the following day.
The Indian leader said international partnerships and global solidarity only become meaningful when shared challenges are addressed together. He said lasting solutions to tensions and conflicts in different parts of the world can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy and international cooperation. The comments placed maritime security alongside wider concerns about the West Asia conflict, reflecting the importance of shipping lanes to both regional stability and the global economy.
The intervention also highlighted the human cost of the unrest for India. According to the account, at least 13 Indians, including three seafarers, have died in separate incidents over the past three and a half months. The report said ships with Indian seafarers have come under attack, including one incident near Oman in which three Indians died in an attack attributed to the US Navy.
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India later lodged an official protest with the Trump administration after summoning the US charge d'affaires twice and during a phone call between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most sensitive maritime chokepoints, and any disruption there can affect energy flows, shipping costs and wider trade confidence. Modi's remarks linked that strategic vulnerability to the broader conflict in West Asia and to the safety of civilian crews at sea.
For India, the issue also has a direct consular and economic dimension because Indian nationals work widely in international shipping and related maritime services. The speech came at a moment when India is trying to balance its diplomatic engagement with major powers and its concerns over the security of its citizens abroad. It also followed a period of strain in India-US ties in 2025, after disputes over claims of mediation between India and Pakistan and Washington's response to Operation Sindoor.
The summit therefore provided a setting for both a public appeal on global security and a separate effort to repair bilateral relations. Modi's comments did not set out a new policy response, and the immediate practical steps remain unclear. It is not yet known whether the peace efforts he welcomed will produce any change in conditions for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz or for Indian nationals affected by the conflict.
The main points to watch are the outcome of his bilateral meeting with Trump, any follow-up on maritime security, and whether India's protests over the deaths of its citizens lead to further diplomatic action.
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