New Delhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strongly raise the issue of the deaths of three Indian seafarers in US attacks on commercial vessels when he meets US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.

Prime Minister Modi and President Trump are scheduled to hold talks on Wednesday during the summit, marking their first in-person meeting since their interaction in Washington in February last year. The meeting comes amid growing concern in India over the deaths of Indian crew members aboard ships targeted by the US Navy in the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to questions from reporters, Priyanka Gandhi said the matter deserved the highest level of diplomatic attention.

"Yes, I think definitely he should take it up," she said, referring to the issue of the Indian seafarers killed in the attacks.

Expressing concern over the government's response, the Congress general secretary remarked, "It is surprising that we are not more outspoken about what is happening."

The Modi-Trump meeting also assumes significance as it comes at a time when bilateral ties have faced strains following Operation Sindoor and Washington's decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian goods.

Although the two leaders have remained in touch through telephone conversations, they have also agreed on the framework for an interim trade agreement, discussions on which have been underway since February.

Priyanka Gandhi's comments came after the United States said it had conveyed to India that any violation of its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and the transport of Iranian oil in defiance of sanctions would not be tolerated.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed this position to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a telephone conversation last Friday. Jaishankar had contacted Rubio to lodge India's strong protest over the deaths of Indian nationals in US strikes targeting vessels off the coast of Oman.

According to State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, Rubio emphasised that all commercial ships operating in the region must comply immediately with directions issued by US forces to maintain peace and security in the Strait of Hormuz.

He further reiterated that violations of the US blockade and the unauthorised transport of Iranian oil would invite consequences.

Three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members came under attack off the Omani coast last week. One of the incidents resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers.

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Following the incident, Jaishankar formally protested the fatalities during his conversation with Rubio. India had also summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks in New Delhi and conveyed that lethal attacks on commercial ships carrying Indian crew members were unacceptable.