Evian-les-Bains, Wednesday, June 17, 2026 — The Modi Trump G7 meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France produced warm public statements on trade, defence, and bilateral ties, with US President Donald Trump declaring the two countries were “very close” to finalising a trade deal and pledging unconditional military support to India in the event of an attack.
The two leaders met in the French commune of Evian-les-Bains, their first in-person engagement in 16 months. Their last face-to-face meeting took place at the White House in February 2025, weeks after Trump’s second inauguration.
Modi Trump G7 Meeting: Trade Deal ‘Very Close’ as Both Sides Seek to Rebuild Ties
Trump said the two countries were doing trade deals and that “a lot of things are happening between the United States and India,” pointing to growing economic momentum between the two nations.
Highlighting Indian investment activity in the United States, Trump said Modi was building and spending significantly in America, and expressed appreciation for the jobs that investment was generating.
The meeting came following a visit to India last month by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with both sides working to rebuild bilateral ties after a period of notable strain.
Relations had deteriorated following Washington’s imposition of punitive tariffs on India and Trump’s repeated assertions that he had personally de-escalated the India-Pakistan military confrontation in May 2025. New Delhi consistently maintained that any cessation of hostilities was the result of direct talks between India and Pakistan, rejecting claims of US intervention. Washington’s new immigration policy and its decision to increase H-1B visa fees added further friction.
Modi a ‘Tough Negotiator’ but a ‘Great Friend’: Trump
Trump offered an effusive public tribute to Modi, calling him “a great friend of mine” and “a tough negotiator” and one of the toughest he had encountered. “As long as I am President, they have a great friend in the White House,” Trump said. “Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this man.”
Trump also confirmed that a visit to India was in the pipeline. He told reporters he would be going to India “sometime in the future,” a commitment India has been pressing Washington to formalise for months, potentially as part of a broader regional visit including Japan and Australia.
US Would Defend India If Attacked, Trump Says
On the question of defence, Trump was direct. “If they were attacked, we would be there to help them. If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there. If they are attacked and he is the leader, we are going to be there to help,” Trump said, referring to Modi personally.
Trump also said he expected India to play a significant role in global affairs, including in West Asia. “India plays a big role in everything,” he said, when asked about New Delhi’s potential contribution to regional stability.
Indian Seafarers and the Strait of Hormuz
The meeting was not without friction in the background. Last week, three Indian sailors were killed following US military strikes on merchant vessels off the coast of Oman, prompting New Delhi to summon US charge d’affaires Jason Meeks and describe the strikes as “lethal and deadly” and “unacceptable.”
Modi raised the issue of seafarer safety directly with Trump during their bilateral talks. The Prime Minister said lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty across the world’s seas and that their security must be treated as equally important. Modi expressed confidence that any deal reached with Iran would prioritise the safety of maritime workers.
Modi also commended Trump for his leadership on peace efforts in West Asia and reinforced India’s longstanding position that freedom of navigation in international waters must be ensured.
A Consequential Day for India’s Multi-Alignment Diplomacy
Wednesday in Evian amounted to a concentrated display of India’s multi-alignment strategy bearing fruit across several fronts simultaneously. Earlier in the day, Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement will enter into force on July 15, 2026, and a joint statement from India’s bilateral meeting with Canada reaffirmed a shared goal of concluding a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement before the end of the year.
The G7 summit in Evian represents Modi’s most intensive diplomatic engagement since the India-Pakistan military confrontation of May 2025, with the Modi Trump G7 meeting serving as a signal that both countries are intent on moving past recent turbulence and accelerating economic and strategic cooperation.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, June 18, 2026
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