Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Évian, France. The two global leaders met in person for the first time in approximately 16 months, holding key discussions on defense and trade. The meeting resulted in decisions aimed at elevating the India-U.S. relationship to new heights, with both leaders coming together particularly to further strengthen mutual cooperation in the areas of international security and defense.
During the meeting, President Trump offered India a strong and unequivocal security assurance. He publicly declared that if anyone were to attack India, the United States would stand firmly by its side. Trump made clear that even in the absence of a formal defense treaty between the two countries, America would always be a steadfast friend to India under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. “As long as I am in the White House, India has a great friend there,” Trump remarked. He also praised Modi for driving substantial Indian investments into the United States, noting the relationship extends well beyond defense into the economic sphere.
‘Modi Is a Very Tough Negotiator’
Trump also lavished praise on Prime Minister Modi’s personality and his approach to negotiations, in his characteristic style. He described Modi as someone who appears remarkably calm on the surface, yet is an unyielding strategist — a “killer” when it comes to protecting his country’s interests. “Modi is the toughest negotiator I have ever seen,” Trump said. “He loves the Indian people deeply, which is why he never backs down in trade deals,” he added with a light-hearted tone.