Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are expected to hold a bilateral meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, marking their first formal interaction in 16 months. The two leaders briefly greeted each other earlier in the day as they arrived for the summit, exchanging a handshake before joining other world leaders for the opening proceedings.
Modi is attending the G7 Outreach Session, where he will engage with global leaders on major geopolitical and economic issues. The bilateral with Trump comes at a sensitive moment for India–US relations, with both sides navigating trade disputes, strategic cooperation and recent diplomatic tensions.
Trade will be a central theme. Since their last meeting, Washington imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods along with an additional penalty linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil. Although the US later withdrew the penalty and reduced the tariff burden, the issue remains a key point of discussion. Negotiations on an interim trade package are ongoing, with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer scheduled to visit New Delhi later this month.
The meeting also follows a tense episode in the Strait of Hormuz, where three Indian nationals were killed in a US Navy strike during the recent West Asia conflict. India lodged a strong diplomatic protest, summoning the US Deputy Chief of Mission twice and conveying its concerns directly through External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The US defended its actions, citing violations of its naval blockade.
Despite these challenges, both sides see the meeting as an opportunity to stabilise ties. Modi and Trump shared a close rapport during Trump’s first term, and officials hope the talks will help reset momentum. Modi is also scheduled to meet leaders of Canada, the UK and the UAE during the summit.