**Title: Trump Comments on Indian Sailors Killed Near Strait of Hormuz**
US President Donald Trump has addressed the recent deaths of three Indian sailors near the Strait of Hormuz, confirming that he is aware of the tragic incident. The sailors were killed when US forces, enforcing a blockade against Iran, opened fire on their vessel, the MT Settebello, last week.
The comments came during a press interaction following a meeting between Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit held in France. When asked if he had any words of condolence for the families of the deceased sailors, Trump remarked, “It’s [seafaring] a rough profession, and there is no question about it.” He further expressed solidarity with the Indian people, stating, “We love all those people, they are great people,” while indicating a willingness to collaborate with Modi on the matter.
The incident has sparked significant domestic pressure on the Indian government to address the situation with the Trump administration. In response, India has formally protested the attacks on commercial vessels by summoning US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks to the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi on two separate occasions.
During his discussion with Trump, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of sailors, stating, “Hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers are performing their duties across global maritime trade routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, contributing heavily to global progress. Their safety is of the utmost importance to us.”
In addition to the deaths of the three sailors, reports have surfaced indicating that three commercial ships with Indian crews were attacked off the coast of Oman by US forces last week. In another disturbing incident, an Indian sailor aboard a vessel trapped by the blockade succumbed to an illness, with media reports suggesting that US Navy ships nearby did not respond to SOS messages sent by the ship’s captain.
India is home to over 300,000 seamen working across various global shipping fleets, with more than 18,000 employed in the West Asia region alone. The deaths of the sailors and the broader implications of the US blockade have raised concerns about the safety and security of Indian nationals engaged in maritime trade.
As the situation develops, the Indian government is likely to continue pressing for assurances regarding the safety of its seafarers and may seek further dialogue with the US to address these critical issues.