PM Modi-Trump Meeting: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are set to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France on Wednesday, against the backdrop of ongoing
trade negotiations and recent tensions over US attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members in the Strait of Hormuz.
The meeting comes during the final leg of PM Modi’s France-Slovakia visit and is expected to be one of the key engagements at the two-day G7 gathering in the French town of Évian.
First Modi-Trump Meeting Since Op Sindoor
According to the White House, the meeting between PM Modi and Trump is scheduled for 2.45 pm local time on Wednesday, which corresponds to 6.15 pm in India. President Trump is expected to brief the media at 3.30 pm local time.
The talks will mark the first bilateral engagement between the two leaders since Operation Sindoor, which altered regional security dynamics. Trump had multiple times claimed that he had brokered the India-Pakistan ceasefire last year, which was rejected by India.
PM Modi and Trump last met in person in February 2025 in Washington DC. Since then, they have spoken several times over the phone, particularly after the outbreak of the Iran war.
Despite disagreements over issues such as tariffs, both leaders have maintained warm personal relations.
Last week, as PM Modi completed 12 years in office, Trump publicly congratulated him. “Congratulations to my friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister – and a Great One he is!” Trump wrote.
Meeting Comes Just After Hormuz Firing Incident
The meeting also takes place just days after three Indian mariners were killed when a commercial vessel was targeted by the US Navy in the Strait of Hormuz.
The issue has created fresh friction between New Delhi and Washington and is expected to remain in focus as both sides discuss regional developments.
The backdrop of attacks on three Indian-crewed ships and firing incidents involving Indian nationals in Iran on June 10 has added significance to the discussions between the two leaders.
EAM S Jaishankar spoke to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a post on X, he said he had made the call Friday evening and “reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners” while underlining that “such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified”.
Following this, the US Department of State pushed back. Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke yesterday with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two officials discussed recent events in the Strait of Hormuz. The Secretary stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait. He underscored that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.”
Foreign Ministry also summoned the US envoy twice over attack on Indian ships.
Trade Deal talks
Trade is expected to be one of the major topics during the meeting.
Relations between India and the United States had come under strain following the imposition of tariffs on Indian goods by Washington. However, officials from both sides have indicated that progress has been made in recent weeks.
Senior US officials have said Modi and Trump will use the meeting to review the status of ongoing trade negotiations, though a final agreement is unlikely to be announced at the summit.
“President Trump’s approach always is we won’t have a deal unless it’s a very good deal. We think a very good deal is possible. I don’t think we’ll close that deal at the G7. I think we have further technical discussions to accomplish,” a US official said.
India is seeking preferential tariff treatment as part of negotiations on an interim trade arrangement.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal recently said the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement could be concluded by mid-July.
Earlier this month, Trump expressed confidence that the two countries would reach a deal. “We will get to a deal because I like your prime minister a lot. He is a good friend of mine, and we get along well,” he told reporters at the White House.
Iran, Ukraine And Hormuz Likely To Dominate G7 Agenda
The 52nd G7 Summit is being held in Évian and brings together leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the European Union. India is attending as a guest nation.
PM Modi said India’s participation reflects the country’s growing global role.
“India’s presence at the G7 reflects the trust our partners place in us and our growing global profile. This is the eighth consecutive G7 Summit to which India has been invited. At the G7, India will not only speak for itself, but it will also give voice to the aspirations of the Global South,” he said.
While G7 discussions traditionally focus on economic issues, technology and climate change, this year’s summit is expected to be heavily influenced by developments in Iran and Ukraine.
Trump’s sharp disagreements with several European leaders over the war involving Iran have added a geopolitical dimension to the gathering. The US President did not consult France, Britain, Germany and Italy before going to war and later threatened to reduce US troop deployments in those countries over their lack of support.
The reopening and demining of the Strait of Hormuz is also expected to feature prominently in discussions.
French President Emmanuel Macron said France could deploy mine-clearing vessels to the region within days. Britain and France have both indicated willingness to assist with demining efforts once hostilities are paused.
