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COVER STORY JUNE 26, 2026 | The Indian Eye 4

MODI-TRUMP MEETING

A STRATEGIC

RESET?

The first face-to-face meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald
Trump in more than 16 months reflected renewed political warmth, progress on a bilateral trade
agreement and growing strategic convergence on West Asia, even as tariff disputes and

the China-Pakistan equation continue to shape the relationship.

ments lay an important political
OUR BUREAU message. Trump has consistently
portrayed Modi as a trusted partner
New Delhi
since their joint appearances at the
he meeting between Prime “Howdy Modi” event in Houston in
Minister Narendra Modi and 2019 and the “Namaste Trump” pro-
TUS President Donald Trump gramme in Ahmedabad in 2020. By
on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in again emphasising their friendship,
Evian, France, marked more than the Trump signalled continuity in bilater-
resumption of personal diplomacy. al ties despite changes in the global
It reaffirmed the resilience of the In- political landscape.
dia-US strategic partnership at a time The positive atmosphere also ex-
when the international order is being tended to trade, an area that has of-
reshaped by conflict in West Asia, ten generated friction between New
intensifying competition with China Delhi and Washington.
and persistent trade frictions. Trump indicated that negotia-
Although no major agreements tions on the proposed bilateral trade
were signed, the discussions pro- agreement had entered their final
duced unmistakably positive political stretch. “We’re very close,” he said
signals. The two leaders projected when asked about the agreement.
personal warmth, announced prog- “We had, in particular, some very
ress towards an interim bilateral good conversations with Prime Min-
trade agreement and underscored ister Modi... We’re doing trade deals,
India’s growing strategic importance we’re doing a lot of things.”
in regional and global affairs. Those remarks were reinforced
The meeting was their first by India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram
in-person interaction in more than Misri, who described the agreement
16 months, following Modi’s visit as being in its “final stages.”
to Washington in February 2025. It “With the United States, we have
also came amid rising tensions in the made significant progress already on
Gulf, renewed concerns over mari- the conclusion of an interim free
time security in the Strait of Hormuz Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump hold a bilateral meeting on the trade bilateral trade agreement. We
and continuing negotiations over tar- sidelines of the G7 Summit 2026, in Evian on Wednesday (DPR PMO/ANI Photo) are in the final stages of concluding
iffs and market access. that agreement,” Misri said.
Perhaps the most striking fea- According to him, both leaders
ture of the meeting was Trump’s pub- time now, and we’ve always had a In a characteristically colourful instructed their negotiating teams to
lic praise for Modi. In remarks that great relationship,” Trump said. observation, he added, “He’s the conclude the agreement “at the ear-
mixed humour with diplomacy, the Describing Modi as one of the most beautiful-looking man; he looks liest possible.”
US President repeatedly highlighted toughest leaders he has dealt with, so nice, he’s like an angel. But actual- The upcoming visit of US Trade
the Indian Prime Minister’s negotiat- Trump remarked, “He’s a very tough ly, he’s as tough as they come... He’s Representative Jamieson Greer to
ing abilities and leadership. negotiator. He’s one of the tough- a killer.” India is expected to give final shape
“He’s been my friend for a long est.” Behind the personal compli- Continued on next page... >>

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