PM Modi: The 52nd G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, became the stage for a high-voltage diplomatic moment as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held their first face-to-face bilateral meeting in 16 months. The warmth between the two leaders was unmistakable, with Trump publicly lavishing praise on the Indian Prime Minister.
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“As long as I am President, they have a great friend in the White House,” Trump declared after the talks, adding, “Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this man.”
Trump also acknowledged Modi’s reputation as a shrewd negotiator. “He looks like an angel. But actually, he’s as tough as he is a killer,” he said with characteristic flair.
Trade Deal “Very Close”
The central question going into the summit was whether bonhomie would translate into concrete gains for India on the trade front. Signals are cautiously optimistic.
- Trump stated the two countries are “very close” to finalising a trade deal
- India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal had indicated earlier that the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement could be concluded by mid-July
- India is pushing for preferential tariff treatment as part of negotiations
- Washington had previously proposed an additional 12.5% tariff on Indian imports, which New Delhi has firmly rejected
But What Does the $129.2 billion Tread Deal Really Mean?
PM Modi also raised the issue of H-1B visas and the security of Indian seafarers operating in global maritime trade routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
India-US bilateral trade stood at $129.2 billion last year, making Washington India’s top trading partner. With that context, the stakes of getting a favourable deal could not be higher — and the Modi-Trump chemistry at G7 may well be the crucial catalyst to push negotiations over the finish line.
