Shillong: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a brief conversation at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains on Tuesday. This encounter marked their first in-person meeting in 16 months, providing an opportunity to reset bilateral relations that have suffered due to trade disputes, immigration policies, and conflicting accounts regarding regional military tensions.
The two leaders are scheduled for formal bilateral talks on Wednesday to discuss trade negotiations and defense cooperation. These discussions aim to build on efforts initiated by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who visited India last month to invite the Prime Minister to the White House.
Tensions recently flared when three Indian sailors died during US military strikes on merchant vessels near the coast of Oman. New Delhi summoned the US charge d'affaires, Jason Meeks, to formally express its concerns. India described the American military’s “lethal and deadly” strikes on commercial vessels with Indian crew members as “unacceptable.”
Despite recent friction, both nations are working toward a mutually beneficial trade deal. During their upcoming meeting, the leaders are also expected to address global challenges, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the crisis in West Asia.
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