US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attempted to defuse escalating tensions over the recent killing of three Indian sailors by American naval forces off the coast of Oman.
Speaking to the media after their first bilateral meeting in 16 months, Trump said both Washington and New Delhi continue to “work together” on the issue, calling commercial vessel operations “a rough profession”.
“I heard about that,” Trump added, without offering any condolences or regret. “This has been happening throughout time, but we work together. We love all of those people, and they’re great people.”
Interspersed with talk about the US-Iran memorandum of understanding in his opening remarks, Modi also raised the sailors’ deaths, saying the safety of Indian seafarers “is of utmost importance” to India.
“I am confident the safety of seafarers will be ensured and receive the highest priority during the implementation of this agreement,” he added.
Relations between the two sides deteriorated after US forces fired missiles last week at the Palau-flagged MT Settebello, killing three Indian nationals.