PM Modi-Trump reunion at G7: First face-to-face meeting in 16 months; What did they discuss?

Summary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a brief conversation on Tuesday (June 16) on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, marking their first in-person meeting in 16 months amid efforts by New Delhi and Washington to repair strained bilateral relations. The two leaders exchanged pleasantries and shared a warm handshake in Evian-les-Bains ahead of a scheduled bilateral meeting on Wednesday, which is expected to focus on trade, defence cooperation and key global issues. The encounter was the first between PM Modi and Trump since the Indian prime minister visited Washington in February last year. Relations between the two countries came under pressure after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on Indian goods and Trump repeatedly claimed he had played a decisive role in ending military tensions between India and Pakistan during last year's conflict. India, however, firmly rejected the claim, maintaining that the cessation of hostilities resulted solely from direct talks between New Delhi and Islamabad and that the United States played no role in the process. Washington's immigration policies, including an increase in H-1B work visa visa fees, also contributed to tensions in the bilateral relationship. The relationship faced another setback last week after three Indian sailors were killed in US military strikes on merchant vessels off the coast of Oman. Following the incident, India summoned US Charge d'Affaires Jason Meeks and conveyed its strong protest, describing the attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members as "unacceptable". Rubio, during his visit to India last month, invited PM Modi on behalf of Trump to visit the White House in the near future and described India as the "cornerstone" of Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy. Stay updated with the latest Trending , India , World and US news.