Trump says U.S. will defend India if anyone attacks as Modi raises seafarers safety issue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) raised with U.S. President Donald Trump the issue of seafarers’ safety and called for provisions for their protection in Washington’s proposed peace deal with Iran, even as the two leaders vowed to take steps to repair bilateral ties that reeled under severe strain over the past year.

The meeting between the two leaders on the margins of the G7 summit in the French commune came amid increasing outrage in India over the killing of three Indian crew members of a merchant ship in American military strikes.

Also Read: G7 Summit Day 2 LIVE updates on June 17, 2026

In his televised comments, Mr. Modi complimented Mr. Trump for his efforts towards ending the West Asia conflict and brought up the issue of the safety of lakhs of Indian seafarers operating in key maritime zones.

The Prime Minister hoped that the peace deal with Iran would have provisions for the security of the seafarers.

“Mr President, 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 said.

The Prime Minister, then, underlined the importance of the safety of seafarers.

“Hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers are working across the global maritime trade routes, and their safety is of utmost importance to us. You made tremendous efforts towards reaching this understanding (peace agreement with Iran). I am confident that the issue of safety of seafarers will receive the highest priority in the implementation of this agreement,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr. Trump described the meeting as “great” and heaped praise on Mr. Modi. The U.S. President, without giving any timeline, said he will travel to India.

“People say he is such a nice man. I said he’s very tough. He’s a tough negotiator, and he loves the Indian people, but he also loves the U.S.,” Mr. Trump said.

The U.S. President also described India as a major global player.

“I think India plays a big role in everything as long as he (PM Modi) is the leader. India is going to play a big role,” Mr. Trump said in response to a question on whether New Delhi has a role to play in West Asia.

“As long as I am at the White House, India has a friend in the U.S.,” he said, answering a question on the strain in India-U.S. ties.

To a question on the deaths of three Indian seafarers, Mr. Trump said he was aware of it.

“I heard about that (the deaths), it’s a rough profession, no question about it,” he said, adding, “We will work together.”

Answering another question, Mr. Trump said the U.S. will extend support to India if it faces any security challenges or face attack.

The U.S. President also sounded optimistic when asked about the proposed trade deal between India and the U.S.

Relations witnessed a major downturn after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India, and President Mr. Trump made assertions regarding his role in de-escalating the India–Pakistan military clashes of May 2025 that drew sharp reaction from Indian officials.

Over the next few months, the U.S. President repeatedly and publicly claimed that he had resolved the military conflict between the two neighbours and saved millions of lives as it was heading toward a full-scale war.

New Delhi stoutly maintained that the cessation of the hostilities was a result of talks between India and Pakistan, and the U.S. involvement had nothing to do with it. Washington’s new immigration policy and its decision to increase the H1B visa fee also contributed to the slide in India-U.S. ties.

However, both sides made efforts in the last few months to repair the ties and even moved forward to firm up a mutually beneficial trade deal soon.

Last week, the relations came under fresh strain after three Indian sailors were killed following the U.S. military’s attacks on three merchant vessels off the coast of Oman.

Asked about Indian professionals facing difficulties in the U.S. in view of the H-1B visa issue, Mr. Trump said the U.S. have had a tremendous relationship with India in terms of employment.

The Prime Minister travelled to France for the G7 summit as India was invited as a guest country to the summit.

The Group of 7 (G7) brings together seven of the world’s most advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union is also a member of the bloc.

The G7 serves as the forum of choice for its members to discuss and coordinate action in response to major economic, financial and geopolitical challenges on the global stage.

PM Modi arrived in Evian-les-Bains after concluding his two-day trip to Slovakia.