Modi and Trump Meet After 16 Months as Trade Tensions Loom
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump engaged in a brief conversation and exchanged pleasantries on Tuesday at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, marking their first in-person meeting in 16 months. The encounter, which took place against a backdrop of strained bilateral ties, sets the stage for a more formal bilateral meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
The two leaders last met at the White House in February 2025, shortly after President Trump's second inauguration. Since then, relations have been tested by a series of disputes, including US tariffs on Indian goods, differences over immigration policy, and divergent narratives regarding de-escalation of India-Pakistan hostilities in May 2025.
In recent months, both sides have sought to repair the relationship. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India last month, and discussions on a trade deal have progressed. However, the relationship faced fresh strain last week when three Indian sailors were killed in US military strikes on merchant vessels off the coast of Oman. New Delhi summoned the US charge d'affaires, calling the strikes 'unacceptable'.
Wednesday's meeting is expected to cover the full spectrum of bilateral issues, including trade negotiations, defence cooperation, and geopolitical matters such as energy security, the West Asia crisis, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The trade pact, still under negotiation, is seen as a stepping stone toward a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement.
India has been invited as a guest country to the G7 summit, which brings together seven major economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union. The forum focuses on coordinating responses to global economic and geopolitical challenges.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Evian-les-Bains after concluding a visit to other nations, reflecting India's active diplomatic engagement on the world stage.
