Evian: After a gap of 16 months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump came face to face on Monday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France. The two leaders shook hands and briefly interacted during the outreach session of the summit, where they were also seated next to each other. A full bilateral meeting between the two is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM IST.
The brief exchange took place as world leaders gathered for an event hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The last time the two leaders had met in person was during PM Modi’s visit to Washington in February 2025, shortly after Trump began his second term in office.
The timing of this meeting carries significant weight. India and the United States have witnessed a period of strain in recent months, with two major developments casting a shadow over the relationship. The first was Operation Sindoor, India’s military action which drew international attention. The second was the Trump administration’s decision to impose steep tariffs on Indian imports, a move that has created friction on the trade front between the two countries.
Against this backdrop, Tuesday’s full bilateral discussion is being closely watched. It is seen as an opportunity for both sides to reset the tone and work through the tensions that have built up over the past several months.
The outreach session at the G7 also produced a notable group photograph featuring many of the world’s most powerful leaders. PM Modi stood in the front row alongside President Trump and French President Macron. Others in the frame included European Council President Antonio Costa, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The image reflected the scale of the gathering and the diplomatic weight of the moment for India, as PM Modi engaged with the top tier of global leadership at one of the world’s most consequential forums.
All eyes will now be on what emerges from the Modi-Trump bilateral meeting on Tuesday and whether it helps put the India-US relationship on a steadier footing.