Modi and Trump to Discuss Trade and Defence Cooperation at G7 Summit
High-Level Talks on Trade and Defence
PM Modi shakes hands with U.S. President Trump before the plenary session at the G7 summit, on Tuesday. (Photo:PTI)
Evian-les-Bains, June 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump are scheduled to engage in extensive discussions on Wednesday, focusing on accelerating the proposed bilateral trade agreement, enhancing defence collaboration, and tackling significant geopolitical issues.
The meeting is set for 6:15 PM IST and aims to address a wide range of bilateral relations, including advancements in negotiations regarding the interim trade pact and strategies to strengthen strategic and defence partnerships.
This interim trade agreement is viewed as a crucial step towards a more comprehensive bilateral trade deal that was envisioned during Modi's visit to Washington in February 2025.
The significance of these discussions is heightened by the upcoming visit of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to India on June 23 and 24.
As per an Indian trade official, Greer will engage with Indian officials to finalize the interim trade agreement between New Delhi and Washington.
Additionally, the two leaders are anticipated to discuss urgent global matters, such as energy security, the situation in West Asia, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Just a day before their meeting, Modi and Trump exchanged friendly remarks and had a brief conversation during the G7 Summit in Évian-les-Bains, marking their first face-to-face interaction in 16 months.
While specifics of their conversation remain undisclosed, this encounter has set the groundwork for what is expected to be a significant bilateral meeting.
The last in-person meeting between the two leaders took place at the White House in February 2025, shortly after Trump's second inauguration.
This upcoming Modi-Trump meeting is particularly important as both nations seek to stabilize their relationship following recent tensions.
After U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India last month, both countries have been looking for ways to regain momentum in their ties.
Relations have faced challenges after the U.S. imposed tariffs on Indian products and Trump made contentious statements regarding his involvement in reducing military tensions between India and Pakistan in May.
Last week, relations were further strained when three Indian sailors lost their lives due to U.S. military actions against merchant vessels near Oman.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi arrived in France for the G7 Summit after a two-day visit to Slovakia, where India is participating as a guest nation.
During a G7 outreach session on Tuesday, Modi emphasized the importance of securing global maritime routes and ensuring the safety of seafarers, urging all nations to collaborate so that maritime personnel can perform their duties without fear.