Thursday 11 / June / 2026
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France next week, amid growing momentum in negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries.
According to reports, the meeting is likely to take place during the June 16-17 summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. If confirmed, it would be the first in-person interaction between the two leaders since Modi's visit to Washington in February 2025.
Modi's France visit is scheduled from June 13 to 19 in two phases. During the first leg, he is expected to hold talks with Macron in Nice on June 14 before joining world leaders attending the G7 summit.
The anticipated meeting comes at a significant moment for India-U.S. relations, particularly as both sides work toward finalising a long-discussed trade agreement. Earlier this week, Trump expressed confidence that a deal could be reached soon and spoke warmly about his relationship with the Indian Prime Minister.
"I like your Prime Minister a lot. He is a good friend of mine, and we get along well. We have a good relationship," Trump told reporters at the White House.
Despite the positive tone, trade differences remain a key issue. Trump renewed his criticism of India's tariff structure, arguing that high duties have historically disadvantaged American exporters and businesses.
The trade discussions have gained additional urgency following proposals by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to impose extra duties of up to 12.5 percent on imports from several countries, including India. The proposed measures are linked to concerns over restrictions involving goods allegedly produced through forced labour.
Observers say a Modi-Trump meeting could provide an opportunity to address these trade concerns while advancing cooperation in areas such as defence, technology, energy security and resilient supply chains. With global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions continuing to shape international relations, the talks are expected to carry significance beyond bilateral trade and reinforce the broader strategic partnership between New Delhi and Washington.
