Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met for bilateral talks at the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 17 — their first face-to-face meeting in 16 months — against the backdrop of three Indian sailors killed in US military strikes in the Gulf of Oman and a widening trust deficit between New Delhi and Washington.
What Modi Told Trump About Indian Seafarers
Modi personally pressed Trump on ensuring the safety of Indian maritime crews, telling the US president that across the world, Indian seafarers in thousands are working and their safety is of utmost importance. Three Indian sailors died when US Central Command disabled three vessels — Marivex (June 8), Settebello (June 9), and MT Jalveer (June 11) — that Washington said were trying to violate its blockade of Iranian ports.
The deaths triggered fury in India, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar already raising the issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Domestic opposition parties demanded a stronger response.
Trump Response and the Trust Deficit
Trump response drew sharp criticism. When asked about condolences for grieving families, he said: It is a rough profession, there is no question about it. And we work together on it. The remarks were seen as dismissive by Indian commentators. Trump also made unusual personal remarks about Modi, calling him the most beautiful looking man.
India-US Relations Under Strain
The meeting comes at a delicate moment. Beyond the sailor deaths, tariffs, immigration measures, and India energy purchases from Russia have frayed the relationship. The two leaders agreed on a framework for an interim bilateral trade deal in February, but it remains unsealed. The trust deficit is the widest since the 2013 Devyani Khobragade diplomatic row.
Modi-Zelensky Talks and India Peace Message
Separately, Modi also held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit, delivering a strong message that India will always be on the side of peace. Modi outreach to both Trump and Zelensky signals New Delhi balancing act between Western alliances and its traditional strategic autonomy.
Why It Matters for India: The G7 bilateral shapes the trajectory of India-US relations for the remainder of Trump term. With trade talks, energy security, and Indian lives caught in US military operations, the stakes could not be higher. The meeting also underscored India growing role at the G7 table.
