On June 17, local time, Reuters and AP reported that Trump and Modi held a separate meeting while attending the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France.
Trump stated that negotiations with India have been ongoing for quite some time and are “almost at the final stage.” He referred to Modi as “a long-time friend” but also described him as “a very tough negotiator.”
The two countries are in the final stages of discussions regarding tariffs and conditions for U.S. companies entering the Indian market as they work toward a phase one trade agreement. In February, they reached a tentative agreement on some issues, but finalization has been delayed due to disagreements over U.S. trade law Section 301 investigations and tariffs. Section 301 allows the U.S. to impose retaliatory tariffs on what it deems unfair trade practices.
Modi requested assurances for the safety of Indian sailors operating in the Gulf region, including the Hormuz Strait. He emphasized that “hundreds of thousands of Indian sailors are engaged in global maritime trade,” and their protection is crucial during the implementation of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding.
Earlier, on June 9, U.S. forces attacked a Palauan-flagged oil tanker, claiming it violated a maritime blockade against Iran, resulting in the deaths of three Indian sailors. Following this incident, the Indian government summoned the U.S. chargé d'affaires to express its concerns.
Trump commented on the sailors' deaths, stating, “We are working together on this issue,” and added, “They are great people.” He also noted, “If India is attacked, we will be there to help them.”
This meeting is seen as an opportunity to recalibrate the relationship between the two nations, which has cooled due to tariff disputes and maritime security issues. Trump expressed his willingness to visit India in the future, although he did not provide a specific timeline.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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