Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for secure maritime routes and the protection of seafarers, telling G7 leaders that conflicts in West Asia have disrupted global trade and caused loss of life.
Modi's remarks came amid growing anger in India over the deaths of three Indian crew members in a US military attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman last week.
He noted that disruptions to maritime trade through the Strait of Hormuz had affected the global economy and said many Indian citizens had lost their lives in the conflict.
Modi also underscored the importance of trust in international relations, saying that mutual confidence among nations had become a more valuable strategic asset than minerals, technology or markets.
