After 16 months, PM Modi and Trump face to face, eyes of the world fixed on the general meeting, this edge will remain in focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and president of the united states donald trump The two leaders met and greeted each other ahead of an outreach session of the G-7 Summit held in Evian, France on Tuesday (June 16, 2026). The two leaders shook hands and held brief talks ahead of the G-7 session on ‘Building New Partnerships and Strengthening International Solidarity’. This was the first face-to-face meeting of the two leaders in 16 months, amid ongoing tension in bilateral relations.

Talks can be made on trade deal

PM Modi and Trump were seen shaking hands warmly and after that they also talked for a while. A bilateral meeting of the two leaders is proposed on the sidelines of the conference on Wednesday (17 June 2026). This was the first meeting between Modi and Trump since the Prime Minister visited Washington to meet the US President in February last year. The two leaders are expected to discuss all aspects of relations, including the ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement and steps being taken to enhance defense cooperation when they meet on Wednesday.

This agenda will remain in focus

This trade agreement could prove to be an important step towards a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement, which was envisioned during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington in February last year. PM Modi and Trump can also share their views on important global challenges like the Middle East crisis and the Russia-Ukraine war. Apart from this, many important issues related to economic development, supply chain, Artificial Intelligence (AI), investment partnership and world security will be discussed in the meeting.

Due to these reasons the situation between India and US deteriorated

Following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India last month, both sides are looking forward to reviving bilateral ties. During his meeting with PM Modi, Marco Rubio had on behalf of President Trump invited him to visit the White House in the ‘near future’. He had described India as the ‘foundation’ of the American policy regarding the Indo-Pacific. There was a huge decline in relations between the two countries after Trump claimed to play an important role in preventing military conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025 and imposed punitive tariffs on India.

US attacks Indians on Oman coast

America’s new immigration policy and decision to increase H1B visa fees also contributed to the decline in India-US relations. However, in the last few months, both sides made efforts to improve relations and soon started working towards implementing a trade agreement of mutual interest. Last week, relations between the two countries came under fresh strain when US forces targeted three commercial ships off the coast of Oman, killing three Indian sailors.

Three Indians aboard a ship were killed in the attacks, following which India summoned US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks and told him that lethal and deadly attacks by the US military on commercial ships with Indian crews are not acceptable. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also raised this issue with Rubio. Prime Minister Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with many other world leaders during the G7 conference.

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