Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump have reported “significant progress” in ongoing trade negotiations between their two countries following a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Évian, France.
The two leaders met face-to-face for the first time since early 2025, discussing a wide range of economic and strategic issues, with a particular focus on advancing a long-delayed interim trade agreement. According to official statements, both sides have instructed their teams to accelerate efforts to finalize a “commercially meaningful” deal at the earliest possible stage.
Trump told reporters that discussions with India were moving quickly, saying the two countries were “very close” to reaching an agreement. He also described Modi as a “very tough negotiator,” adding a series of unusually colorful remarks that quickly drew global attention, including calling him “like an angel” while also describing him as a “killer” in negotiations.
Indian officials, meanwhile, confirmed that the leaders reviewed progress on reducing trade barriers, expanding market access, and strengthening bilateral economic ties. Both governments have set an ambitious goal of reaching $500 billion in annual trade by 2030.
The meeting also came at a sensitive moment in global trade relations, as earlier tariff disputes and investigations had slowed momentum between Washington and New Delhi. Despite past friction, both sides now appear focused on restoring stability and pushing forward with a structured agreement.
Beyond trade, Modi raised concerns about the safety of Indian seafarers in conflict-affected maritime regions, urging stronger protections following recent incidents involving commercial vessels. The discussion also touched on broader regional instability affecting energy supplies and global supply chains, particularly in oil and fertilizer markets.
Modi highlighted that disruptions caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions will continue to affect developing economies for an extended period, stressing the importance of stable trade and energy flows for the Global South.
A new round of technical negotiations is expected soon, with US Trade Representative officials scheduled to visit India in the coming days to continue discussions.
While no final agreement has been signed yet, both sides expressed optimism that the remaining gaps are narrowing, signaling one of the most advanced stages of US–India trade talks in recent years.
The meeting reflects a renewed push by both nations to deepen economic cooperation despite earlier trade tensions, with leaders on both sides projecting cautious confidence that a breakthrough may be within reach.
In a moment that quickly went viral globally, Trump’s remarks about Modi’s negotiating style—mixing praise, humor, and political framing—underscored the unusual personal tone often seen in high-level diplomacy between the two leaders.
For now, however, both governments are emphasizing the same message: progress is real, but the final deal is still under negotiation.
