Seafarers issue of ‘utmost importance’: Modi to Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue, in broad terms, of the safety of seafarers with U.S. President Trump at the start of their bilateral meeting in Evian, France, on the fringes of the G7 Summit.

“Mr. President, you are aware across the world, Indian seafarers in the hundreds of thousands are working and performing their duties across global maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, and their safety is of utmost importance to us,” Mr. Modi said, referring to the killing of three Indian seafarers in a U.S. strike last week off the coast of Oman.

“I’m confident that the issue of seafarers will receive the highest priority during the implementation of this agreement,” Mr. Modi said. The Prime Minister “commended” Mr. Trump for his efforts to restore peace in West Asia and said he was confident this would lead to a long-term peace in the region. The Prime Minister told the President that they both agreed that keeping the Strait of Hormuz open was vital for the world economy.

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Mr. Trump was asked by a reporter if he had words of condolence for the grieving families of the sailors.

“I heard about that. It’s a rough profession. There’s no question about it,” he said, adding, “This has been happening throughout time, but we work together.  We love all of those people.”

Mr. Trump said Iran would not have a nuclear weapon and that Mr. Modi felt “very strongly” about that as well.

The President also dismissed perceptions that the India-U.S. relationship was fraying, saying that as long as he was President, India would have a “great friend” in the White House. He lavished praise on Mr. Modi repeatedly and their friendship, painting a picture at odds with the mounting challenges the relationship has had to weather in recent times, including a protracted trade negotiation, restrictions on skilled migration, the death of Indian sailors, and a closeness with the Pakistan government that has ruffled feathers in New Delhi.

Mr. Trump said the U.S. and India were “very close” to finalising a trade deal but that Mr. Modi was a “very tough” negotiator. The two countries announced the finalisation of a deal in February this year but it is yet to be signed, held up partly over changes to U.S. tariff policies and some gaps in the finer details.

“He’s the most beautiful looking man. He looks so nice. He’s like an angel, but actually he’s a killer,” Mr. Trump said, praising Mr. Modi. “He’s as tough as they come, but he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise,” he added.

Mr. Trump said he appreciated Mr. Modi (i.e., India) investing in the U.S.

Asked to speak on the India-U.S. defence relationship, Mr. Trump said that though they did not have a contract, if India were to be attacked “we would be there to help”, stretching out his hand to hold Mr. Modi’s.  

Mr. Trump suggested he would go to India at some point in the future.

Following the meeting, Mr. Modi posted on social media saying the two sides had reviewed U.S.-India cooperation in trade, energy, defence, technology and people-to-people ties.