Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about Indian seafarers with US President Donald Trump
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has once again found himself at the centre of a political debate after backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s handling of discussions with US President Donald Trump on the safety of Indian sailors amid tensions in the Gulf region.
Speaking about the Modi-Trump meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Tharoor said the Prime Minister had clearly conveyed India’s concerns regarding civilian seafarers operating in conflict zones.
According to Tharoor, India has a responsibility to safeguard its maritime workforce and ensure that commercial sailors are not caught in military confrontations.
He noted that PM Modi raised the issue directly with President Trump and stressed that merchant sailors should not be treated as combatants during wartime operations.
The Congress MP’s remarks come at a time when his party has been attacking the government over the deaths of three Indian seafarers who were killed during a US strike on a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman. Congress leaders have questioned whether the Prime Minister forcefully raised the matter with Washington and criticised what they described as a lack of public response from the government.
Tharoor’s comments, however, appeared to contradict the opposition’s line of attack, providing the BJP with an opportunity to counter Congress criticism.
Reacting to the Congress leader’s statement, BJP leaders claimed it validated the government’s position and demonstrated that India’s concerns had indeed been communicated at the highest level.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said Tharoor’s remarks had effectively exposed the gap between the Congress leadership’s criticism and the facts surrounding the Modi-Trump meeting.
Prime Minister Modi and President Trump met during the G7 Summit for their first formal bilateral talks in over a year. Among several issues discussed, the Prime Minister highlighted concerns over the safety of Indian nationals working on commercial vessels in the Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz.
The issue has gained prominence amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where shipping routes remain vulnerable to disruptions linked to regional conflicts.
Emphasising the importance of maritime workers to India’s economy and global trade network, PM Modi underscored the need to ensure their security regardless of the geopolitical situation in the region.
The exchange has now triggered a fresh political confrontation at home, with both the BJP and Congress using Tharoor’s remarks to reinforce their competing narratives on foreign policy and national interests.
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