Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France on Wednesday, marking an important engagement between the two leaders amid ongoing discussions on trade, security and strategic cooperation.

During interactions around the meeting, Trump praised Modi in unusually warm terms, describing the Indian Prime Minister as a “tough trader” and highlighting his negotiating abilities. He also referred to Modi as a “total killer” while complimenting his leadership style and effectiveness in dealing with complex issues.

The meeting was the first face-to-face interaction between the two leaders in several months and came at a time when New Delhi and Washington are working toward advancing a bilateral trade agreement. Officials from both sides have indicated that discussions on trade remain a priority, although a final deal is still under negotiation.

Focus on trade and strategic cooperation

Speaking after the meeting, Trump said he had a “very good” conversation with Modi and noted that the two countries were continuing efforts to reach trade agreements. He also described the Indian leader as a strong negotiator and expressed interest in visiting India in the future.

Trade issues have been a major area of discussion between India and the United States, with both sides seeking progress on market access, tariffs and broader economic cooperation.

Maritime security also discussed

The bilateral meeting took place against the backdrop of wider global security concerns. During G7 engagements, Modi raised issues related to maritime security and the safety of Indian seafarers, stressing the importance of secure shipping routes and uninterrupted global trade.

The leaders’ talks were closely watched as India and the United States continue to deepen cooperation across trade, defence and strategic affairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Évian, France, on Tuesday to participate in the G7 Summit 2026, marking the final leg of his two-nation Europe visit. World leaders have gathered in the French town for discussions on major global challenges, including economic growth, security, technology and international cooperation.

The summit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with developments related to Iran, Ukraine and global economic stability expected to feature prominently in discussions among leaders.

A bilateral meeting between PM Modi and US President Donald Trump is expected on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit. According to reports, the two leaders are likely to discuss trade, investment, energy cooperation, supply chains, artificial intelligence and broader strategic issues.

Ahead of the summit, PM Modi had said India would represent not only its own interests but also the aspirations of the Global South. India has consistently used international forums to raise issues affecting developing nations, including sustainable development, economic resilience and equitable global growth.

French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting the three-day summit in Évian, where leaders from G7 nations and invited partner countries are taking part in a series of formal sessions and bilateral engagements. India is among the invited outreach partners attending the gathering.

The expected Modi-Trump meeting is attracting significant attention as it would be their first face-to-face interaction since recent discussions over trade and strategic cooperation. Officials have indicated that economic ties, visa-related matters and regional security issues could feature in the talks.

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran has agreed to a commitment that it will never develop or possess nuclear weapons, describing it as a central element of a proposed understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Speaking about the ongoing diplomatic efforts, Trump also rejected reports suggesting that the United States planned to provide Iran with a reconstruction or investment package worth $300 billion. He described such claims as false and said no such arrangement had been agreed.

The remarks come as discussions continue over a broader framework aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. According to Trump, the understanding would ensure that Iran remains without nuclear weapons while opening the door for future engagement if the terms are respected.

Questions remain over final agreement details

Despite Trump’s comments, several aspects of the proposed arrangement remain unclear because the full text of the agreement has not yet been made public.

Reports indicate that negotiations have involved discussions on sanctions relief, access to frozen assets and potential economic measures linked to Iran’s compliance with future commitments. However, the exact scope of these provisions has not been officially confirmed.

Another key issue is how compliance would be monitored. Details regarding inspections, verification mechanisms and the handling of Iran’s existing nuclear materials have yet to be fully explained.

Further negotiations expected

Officials have suggested that discussions on technical nuclear matters could continue even after the signing of an initial memorandum of understanding. Such talks would likely focus on implementation and verification measures.

The proposed framework is being closely watched internationally, as any agreement between the United States and Iran could have significant implications for regional stability and global non-proliferation efforts.

For now, Trump has maintained that the core objective remains clear: ensuring that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon while denying reports that Washington has committed to a multibillion-dollar reconstruction fund.