India–US relations: Modi and Trump meet at G7 ahead of planned bilateral talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met briefly on Tuesday at the G7 leaders’ gathering. It was their first face-to-face contact in 16 months. The interaction came as India-US ties stayed under pressure. The two leaders shook hands and spoke for a short time in Evian-les-Bains.

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A longer bilateral meeting is scheduled for Wednesday on the summit sidelines. The details of Tuesday’s exchange were not disclosed. Still, the moment set up talks expected to cover several sensitive issues. Both sides have recently signalled interest in steadying the relationship after months of friction.

Modi Trump meeting at G7 leaders’ gathering

The Modi-Trump greeting happened during the G7 summit, where India attended as a guest country. The Group of 7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union is also part of the bloc. The forum is used to discuss economic and geopolitical challenges.

This was the first Modi-Trump meeting since the prime minister visited Washington DC in February last year. Their Wednesday discussion is expected to review the full range of bilateral ties. Items likely include trade negotiations and measures to increase defence cooperation. They may also discuss the West Asia crisis and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Modi Trump meeting amid strain in India-US ties

India and the US have worked in recent months to repair ties. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India last month. That trip helped open space for rebuilding. Officials have also moved ahead with efforts to finalise a mutually beneficial trade deal soon. The proposed pact may support a wider trade agreement.

The relationship had weakened after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India. Tensions also grew after President Trump made claims about de-escalating India-Pakistan clashes last May. President Trump said repeatedly that the US resolved the conflict. New Delhi said the halt came from India-Pakistan talks, not US action.

Policy shifts in the US also added pressure. Washington’s new immigration approach affected sentiment. The decision to raise the H1B visa fee was another factor. These issues combined with trade disputes to deepen unease. Even so, both sides kept channels open for dialogue.

Modi Trump meeting after US strikes off Oman coast

Fresh strain surfaced last week after three Indian sailors died. The deaths followed US military strikes on three merchant vessels off Oman. New Delhi summoned US charge d’affaires Jason Meeks. India said that the American militarys lethal and deadly strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew members is unacceptable.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also raised the matter with Rubio. The US Central Command said it acted to disable three vessels. It named Marivex on June 8, Settebello on June 9, and MT Jalveer on June 11. The command said the ships tried to breach the US blockade of Iranian ports.

Modi Trump meeting and Rubio’s invitation to White House

Rubio, during his meeting with the prime minister last month, had invited him on behalf of Trump to visit the White House in the near future. The top American diplomat described India as the cornerstone of Washingtons approach towards the Indo-Pacific. The invitation added momentum to efforts to reset the relationship.

Modi and Trump are expected to use Wednesday’s sit-down to assess recent setbacks and areas of progress. The agenda is likely to include trade, defence ties, and regional conflicts. With the G7 providing space for talks, both sides appear focused on managing tensions while keeping broader cooperation on track.

With inputs from PTI