Modi-Trump bilateral meet in focus at G7 summit

Evian [France], June 17: The French city of Evian remains the epicentre of global diplomacy today as the G7 Summit enters its crucial phase.

With India participating as a Partner Country, all eyes are firmly set on a highly anticipated bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, scheduled for later today on the sidelines of the summit.

This marks the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since they last met in Washington, D.C., in February 2025.

During today’s engagement, they are expected to hold wide-ranging discussions to deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors such as energy and trade among others, while also deliberating on pressing regional and global issues of mutual interest.

In last few months, two countries have made significant progress on negotiations of bilateral talks still no substaintial announcement has been made.

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Earlier in the beginning of this month, a team of US trade negotiators visited New Delhi and both sides were highly optimistic that the finalisation of (Bilateral Trade Deal) BTA will be announced. However, neither India nor the US has issued any statement regarding the final status of the BTA.

Now, the possibility is that Modi and Trump will discuss the critical points, helping the negotiating teams to come to the conclusion.

Notably, both the sides have said that 99 percent of the terms have been finalised and they are negotiating on only 1 percent critical terms and conditions.

This meeting also holds significance as India has emerged as a major global power, with the international community increasingly looking towards New Delhi for solutions to complex global challenges. India’s growing role in shaping discussions on global issues reflects its expanding diplomatic outreach and active engagement with world leaders across forums.

During an outreach session at the summit yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the importance of ‘trust’ in building international partnerships, especially in an increasingly interconnected world.

He also highlighted that India has always followed a humanity-first approach. He said this is reflected in India-led initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuel Alliance, Mission LiFe, and the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.

He further said that India’s vision of international partnership is rooted in the timeless philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world is one family. 

Besides his meeting with the US President, Prime Minister Modi is also scheduled today to participate in the G7 working session on “Reviving balanced, inclusive and sustainable economic growth for the benefit of all” and the Working lunch on “Ensuring the safe, rapid and effective deployment of artificial intelligence”.

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The Prime Minister will also hold a trilateral meeting with EU Council President António Costa and European Commission President von der Leyen and a bilateral engagement with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Earlier yesterday, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on the sidelines of the summit.

Modi also met Kenyan President William Ruto, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung.

Ends.