Bhalu (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 18 (ANI): Rajesh Sharma, the father of deceased seafarer Aditya Sharma, on Thursday acknowledged the Prime Minister’s diplomatic constraints during his meeting with US President where the isssue of seafarer safety was raised.
Speaking to ANI, Rajesh Sharma appealed to the government to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers in international waters.
‘The Prime Minister might be bound due to his diplomatic responsibilities, and he could not raise his voice in the manner he should have. I still want to thank him, and I wish that our sailors and seafarers will be safe in the future after his statement… I want to appeal to the government to ensure the safety of our seafarers,’ he said
Sharma’s remarks came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met USA President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. During the meeting, PM Modi pressed Trump for greater protection for maritime workers caught in the crossfire of escalating regional tensions.
‘Several Indian civilians have also lost their lives. The safety of seafarers, who connect nations through global maritime trade, is our responsibility,’ the Prime Minister declared during the session on ‘Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity.’
PM Modi’s appeal centred on a fundamental principle of global commerce: that civilian workers should not be collateral damage in geopolitical blockades.
‘We must ensure that sea routes remain secure and that seafarers can carry out their work without fear,’ he added, urging a collaborative approach to avoid future casualties.
President Trump offered a brief acknowledgement of the tragedy, emphasising the inherent risks of the maritime industry while stopping short of further comment.
‘I heard about that. It’s a rough profession, and we work together on it,’ Trump remarked. ‘This has been happening throughout time, but we work together. We love all those people. They are great people.’
Earlier, three Indian seafarers lost their lives in a U.S. military strike on a commercial tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel, MT Settebello, came under fire after U.S. forces accused it of violating an ongoing naval blockade on Iranian ports. Of the 24 Indian crew members on board, 21 were rescued, while the remaining three were confirmed dead. (ANI)
