Modi at G7 Summit 2026: Maritime Security, Global Solidarity, and International Relations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a powerful address at the 52nd G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, voicing India’s firm concern over disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz and highlighting that several Indian civilians lost their lives during the West Asia conflict. Speaking at the outreach session on “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity,” Modi emphasized that lasting solutions to conflicts can only be achieved through dialogue, diplomacy, and international cooperation, while calling for the safety of seafarers who connect all nations through global maritime trade.The summit, held from June 15 to 17 on the shores of Lake Geneva, brings together leaders of France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States alongside the European Union, with India invited as a partner country for its 13th participation and PM Modi’s 7th consecutive attendance. During his extensive diplomatic outreach on the sidelines, Modi held bilateral meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Kenyan President William Ruto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, while also exchanging greetings with U.S. President Donald Trump ahead of their scheduled bilateral meeting.Maritime Security and the Strait of Hormuz: India’s Core ConcernPM Modi’s remarks on the need to protect seafarers came amid growing anger in India over the deaths of three Indian crew members in a U.S. military attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman last week. The U.S. Central Command said it had taken action against three vessels, Marivex on June 8, Settebello on June 9, and Jalveer on June 11, alleging that they were attempting to violate the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. Modi raised this issue a day before his bilateral talks with President Trump, underscoring how conflicts in West Asia have disrupted global trade and caused loss of life.“We welcome the progress made in peace efforts in West Asia. This conflict has caused loss of life and property in our friendly countries in the region. Disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz have affected the global economy. Several Indian civilians have also lost their lives,” Modi said during his address. “It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the seafarers who connect all nations through global maritime trade. We must ensure that maritime routes remain secure and that seafarers can perform their duties without fear,” he added.Modi’s concerns reflect India’s strategic dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for oil shipments and global commerce. As a major importer of energy and a nation with significant maritime trade volumes, disruptions in Hormuz directly impact India’s economic security, energy prices, and the safety of its nationals working in global shipping. The deaths of three Indian mariners in the U.S. strike have heightened domestic pressure on the government to address maritime security and protect Indian citizens abroad.Trust as the Ultimate Strategic Asset: Modi’s Vision for International RelationsIn his address, Modi underscored the importance of trust in international relations, saying that confidence among nations has become a more valuable strategic asset than minerals, technology, or markets. He argued that in an increasingly interconnected world, where energy, food, health, cyber, and economic security are closely linked, stronger international partnerships are essential for humanity’s progress and prosperity. Warning that trade and technology were being used to pursue narrow interests, Modi said such practices had contributed to a growing trust deficit in the international system.Modi wrote in an X post: “Shared my thoughts at the Outreach Session on ‘Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity’ at the G7 Summit in Evian. In a world that is getting more interconnected and interdependent than ever before, this subject becomes all the more vital.” His emphasis on trust reflects India’s diplomatic philosophy that international cooperation must be founded on mutual respect, reciprocity, and shared interests rather than coercion or unilateralism.The trust deficit Modi highlighted is particularly relevant in the current global context, where geopolitical tensions, trade restrictions, technology bans, and security concerns have led nations to prioritize national interests over collective action. As the G7 discusses issues ranging from AI access to critical minerals supply chains, India’s call for trust-based partnerships offers an alternative framework that emphasizes inclusivity, cooperation, and shared prosperity for all nations, not just the wealthy few.Bilateral Outreach: Strengthening India’s Strategic PartnershipsIndia-Canada: Forward-Looking Strategic PartnershipDuring his meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, PM Modi and his counterpart welcomed the positive momentum in India-Canada relations and reaffirmed their commitment to building a forward-looking strategic partnership. The two leaders reviewed progress in economic cooperation, including commercial arrangements relating to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and metallurgical coal. They expressed satisfaction over ongoing negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with both sides aiming to conclude the pact this year.The leaders also welcomed growing cooperation in science and technology, defence, finance, and migration. To further strengthen defence and security ties, the two countries agreed to launch negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement. PM Modi expressed India’s support for Canada becoming a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, and both leaders announced the establishment of Raisina Americas as a platform to enhance dialogue and cooperation.India-UK: Vision 2035 and Comprehensive Economic PartnershipDuring his meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, PM Modi reviewed progress in India-UK relations under Vision 2035. The two leaders welcomed cooperation across trade, defence, technology, education, and people-to-people ties, looking forward to the early implementation of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. They expressed satisfaction over the strong education partnership, noting recent progress in establishing campuses of British universities in India, including the University of Liverpool in Bengaluru and the Universities of York and Bristol in Mumbai.The leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, demonstrating how both nations are working to deepen their bilateral