Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the international community to ensure the security of global maritime routes and protect seafarers, stressing that sailors must be able to perform their duties without fear amid growing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Addressing the outreach session of the G7 Summit titled “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity”, Modi highlighted the impact of ongoing regional conflicts on global trade and maritime security, particularly in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
“It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the seafarers who connect all nations through global maritime trade. We must ensure that maritime routes remain secure and that seafarers can perform their duties without fear,” the Prime Minister said.
His remarks come days after three Indian crew members were killed in a US military strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman, an incident that has triggered concern in India over the safety of maritime workers operating in conflict-prone regions.
Modi underscored that disruptions to maritime trade routes have adversely affected the global economy and caused loss of life and property in countries across the region.
“We welcome the progress made in peace efforts in West Asia. This conflict has caused loss of life and property in our friendly countries in the region,” he said.
Reiterating India’s long-standing position on international disputes, the Prime Minister said lasting solutions to conflicts can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, and international cooperation.
Highlighting the growing interconnectedness of the modern world, Modi noted that energy security, food security, healthcare, cyber security, and economic prosperity are no longer confined within national borders.
“In such times, the importance of partnerships naturally grows. However, partnerships succeed only when trust lies at their core,” he said.
The Prime Minister warned against the misuse of trade and technology for narrow strategic interests, saying such practices were contributing to a trust deficit in international relations.
“The most important strategic asset today is not minerals, technology, or markets. It is mutual trust,” Modi observed.
He further stressed the need for confidence that technology, supply chains, and global institutions would be used for collective progress rather than as instruments of pressure or exclusion.
Speaking on behalf of developing nations, Modi highlighted the aspirations of the Global South and called for a shift away from traditional donor-recipient frameworks.
“Today, the Global South has high expectations of the global community. What they seek is not merely support, but partnership. They aspire to be partners in global development, not just beneficiaries,” he said.
He advocated a model of cooperation based on dignity, equality, and mutual respect, adding that such an approach would lay a strong foundation for sustainable development worldwide.
Sharing India’s development experience, Modi said the country’s governance philosophy remains rooted in the principle of “Sarv Jan Hitaye, Sarv Jan Sukhaye” (welfare and happiness for all). He cited achievements in financial inclusion, digital transformation, healthcare access, and women-led development as examples of inclusive growth.
“India’s experience demonstrates that development is most effective when it is aligned with the aspirations of the people,” he said.
On the sidelines of the summit, Modi also exchanged greetings and held a brief interaction with US President Donald Trump, marking their first in-person meeting in over a year. The interaction is seen as a precursor to their scheduled bilateral talks aimed at strengthening India-US relations.
The Prime Minister also met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and discussed expanding cooperation in trade, energy, innovation, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral engagement and expressed commitment to building a stronger and mutually beneficial partnership across key sectors.
