“Self-styled Vishwaguru keeps quiet”: Jairam Ramesh calls out PM Modi for ‘silence’ over Indian seafarers’ deaths
New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, alleging that he failed to publicly raise the killing of three Indian seafarers in a US strike in the Gulf of Oman.
In a post shared on X, Jairam Ramesh said PM Modi made no mention of the incident during the joint public interaction with Trump.
"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," he wrote.
He further criticised the fact that only the US President took questions from the media and responded when asked about the incident.
"Only President Trump takes questions. He replies to a question on the killing of the Indian nationals," Ramesh wrote, adding, "Self-styled Vishwaguru still keeps quiet. Pathetic and totally unacceptable."
Prime Minister meets his so-called good friend President Trump in Evian.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 17, 2026
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…
The tragic loss of three Indian seafarers in a recent US military strike in the Gulf of Oman took centre stage during the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
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."
The incident involving the Palau-flagged tanker MT Settebello, which resulted in the deaths of three Indian nationals, was a focal point of high-level discussions on Wednesday. The vessel, which had a crew of 24 Indians, was struck by US forces as part of an ongoing blockade operation. (ANI)
