Indians killed in Gulf, trade tensions: Modi-Trump meet coming up amid unease in US-India ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, marking their first encounter since Modi's visit to Washington in February 2025. This meeting occurs amidst lingering tensions between India and the United States.

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A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives.

Relations have been strained, particularly after three Indian seafarers died when their ships were caught in what the MEA described as "continuing attacks by US naval forces" in the Gulf of Oman. The incidents involved Palau-flagged MT Settebello and two other vessels, MT Marivex and MT Jalveer, which came under attack by U.S. aircraft and naval forces.

India's Ministry of External Affairs summoned the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks twice, lodging a strong protest. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also spoke with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, reiterating India's protest against the "tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives." Jaishankar stated the attacks were "not justified."

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I reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners.

However, Rubio responded that the U.S. would not tolerate violations of its blockade of Iranian ports and emphasized that merchant shipping must comply with orders from American forces operating in the region to uphold peace and security. The readout from the U.S. State Department indicated Rubio stressed that "violations of the U.S. blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated."

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The US will not tolerate any violations of its blockade of Iranian ports and that merchant shipping should comply with orders from American forces.

The meeting also follows previous tariff disputes, including a 50% tariff imposed by the U.S. on India last year. The context of these trade and security issues adds a layer of complexity to the upcoming discussion between the two leaders.

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Violations of the U.S. blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.