New Delhi, Jun 17 (PTI) The Congress on Wednesday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not mentioning the killing of three Indian seafarers as a result of an American attack during his public remarks with US President Donald Trump, calling it “pathetic and totally unacceptable”.
Prime Minister Modi raised the issue of safety of seafarers with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit at Evian-Les-Bains, France, asserting that the proposed peace deal between Iran and the US must have provisions for their security.
However, the Congress slammed Modi for not specifically raising the issue of the killing of three Indian seafarers as the two leaders made a public statement.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X, “Prime Minister meets his so-called good friend President Trump in Evian. Both leaders give a public statement. Prime Minister makes NO mention of the killing of three Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman as a result of a US attack.” “Only President Trump takes questions. He replies to a question on the killing of the Indian nationals. Self-styled Vishwaguru still keeps quiet. Pathetic and totally unacceptable,” Ramesh said.
Modi and Trump held wide-ranging talks on the sidelines of the G7 summit that focused on the proposed bilateral trade deal, bilateral defence and security ties and the West Asia crisis.
The meeting came days after three Indian seafarers were killed on board a merchant ship in a US military strike.
The prime minister also commended Trump for his leadership in rekindling the hope for peace and progress in West Asia.
“We have always said that there should be freedom of navigation… Lakhs of Indian seafarers operate in the maritime trade sector. I believe that their security is equally important. I am confident that the deal (with Iran) will have provisions for the security of the seafarers,” Modi said in his media comments.
Trump described the meeting as “great” as he heaped praise on Modi.
“I think India plays a big role in everything as long as he (PM Modi) is the leader. India is going to play a big role,” Trump said in response to a question on whether New Delhi has a role to play in West Asia.
“As long as I am at the White House, India has a friend in the US,” Trump said, answering a question on the strain in India-US ties. PTI ASK ARI
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