US to Ukraine: Key takeaways from Modi's G7 meet

• PM Modi held multiple bilateral talks at the 52nd G7 Summit.
• India and UK will roll out a Free Trade Agreement on 15 July.
• US and India review trade progress with a New Delhi visit next week.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a packed round of bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the 52nd G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, using the three-day gathering to advance India’s trade, security and strategic priorities.

Attending as an outreach partner, PM Modi held multiple meetings with global leaders spanning advanced economies and the Global South, with a strong focus on trade deals, maritime security and technology cooperation.

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India–US talks: Trade progress and security assurances

A key highlight of the summit was PM Modi’s meeting with US President Donald Trump, their first face-to-face interaction in over 16 months.

Both sides reviewed progress on a proposed bilateral trade agreement, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expected to visit New Delhi next week to push negotiations forward. The talks were supported by over $20.5 billion in planned Indian investments across technology, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.

PM Modi raised concerns over recent disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and stressed the need to safeguard global shipping routes, especially in light of civilian casualties involving Indian nationals.

Trump, in a notable statement, praised Modi as a “tough negotiator” and “friend for a long time,” adding that the US would stand firmly with India on security matters.

India–UK FTA finalised, set for July 15 rollout

In a significant economic breakthrough, PM Modi’s talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed the implementation of the long-pending India–UK Free Trade Agreement.

The deal, set to come into force on July 15, is expected to reduce tariffs, expand technology exchange and improve mobility frameworks between the two countries under the broader “Vision 2035” roadmap.

Ukraine talks: India reiterates peace position

During his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Modi reviewed cooperation on trade restoration and humanitarian support.

He reaffirmed India’s consistent diplomatic stance, saying New Delhi would “always be on the side of peace” and emphasising the importance of dialogue and human security in resolving conflicts.

Canada reset under Mark Carney

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, with both sides aiming to reset strained ties and strengthen overall cooperation.

The discussions focused on advancing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa), with both leaders targeting its completion in 2026. The proposed pact is expected to deepen economic engagement and expand trade flows between the two countries.

Energy security and critical resources also featured prominently in the talks, with emphasis on cooperation in LNG, LPG and critical mineral supply chains, areas seen as vital for long-term strategic stability.

In a significant security-related development, India and Canada agreed to begin negotiations on a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA), which would enable closer defence intelligence sharing and cooperation.

Both leaders also announced the launch of a new platform titled “Raisina Americas”, aimed at expanding geopolitical and strategic cooperation across the Western Hemisphere.

Wider outreach: Global South and Indo-Pacific ties

Beyond his engagements with G7 leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a series of meetings with leaders from the Global South and the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring India's efforts to strengthen partnerships across emerging and developing economies.

In his interaction with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Modi discussed the importance of ensuring free, safe and uninterrupted commerce through the Strait of Hormuz amid concerns over regional instability. The prime minister also extended an invitation to the UAE leader for the upcoming BRICS Summit that India is set to host later this year.

Modi's meeting with Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi focused on expanding economic cooperation, with particular emphasis on attracting greater Japanese investment and technology collaboration across India's industrial sectors.

During talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, the two leaders discussed the development priorities of the Global South and explored ways to deepen cooperation on economic growth, infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives.

The prime minister also met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, with both sides reaffirming the importance of their longstanding strategic partnership. Discussions covered security cooperation as well as opportunities to strengthen agricultural and economic ties.

In his engagement with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, Modi focused on technology partnerships, resilient supply chains and manufacturing collaboration, areas that have become increasingly important amid shifts in the global economic landscape.

AI warning at G7 outreach

In his broader address, Modi also warned of the risks posed by artificial intelligence misuse, including deepfakes, cyber fraud and misinformation.

He called for urgent global coordination to build safeguards, stressing that unchecked AI could undermine institutional trust and pose risks to children and democratic systems worldwide.