Key Facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are set to meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France on Tuesday and Wednesday. This will be their first face-to-face interaction since Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India last year and amid rising tensions after three Indian seafarers were killed in US Navy attacks in the Gulf of Oman.
Background of the Meeting
The last meeting between Modi and Trump took place in Washington, DC, in February 2025, shortly after Trump began his second term. The upcoming meeting comes at a time when bilateral ties are under strain due to multiple issues, including the loss of Indian lives in the Gulf and ongoing trade disputes.
Incidents in the Gulf
Last week, several ships carrying Indian crew members came under attack by US naval forces off the coast of Oman. The Palau-flagged MT Settebello was hit, resulting in the deaths of at least three Indian mariners. Two other vessels, MT Marivex and MT Jalveer, were also targeted. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Jason Meeks twice—on June 9 and June 12—to lodge a strong protest. The MEA stated, A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives.
Diplomatic Exchanges
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday, reiterating India’s strong protest over the attacks. Jaishankar posted on X that he reiterated India’s strong protest at the attacks by the US Navy in the Gulf that killed three Indian mariners.
However, Rubio countered that the US will not tolerate violations of its blockade of Iranian ports and stressed that commercial vessels must comply with orders from US forces. A readout from the US State Department quoted Rubio as saying, stressed that all commercial vessels should immediately comply with orders from US forces as they seek to uphold peace and security in the Strait
and that violations of the US blockade and the illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated.
Trade Tensions and Tariffs
The Modi-Trump meeting also comes after Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India last year, half of which was a penalty for India’s oil purchases from Russia. The tariffs were later struck down by the US Supreme Court, and both nations reached an understanding on a bilateral trade deal framework in February 2025. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor confirmed that the interim trade agreement is 99% complete. He stated, Our current interim trade agreement is on the table for us to finalise and that will unlock prosperity for both of our countries… India had sent a team to Washington DC to finalise the last 1% of that trade deal.
Impact on India-US Relations
The meeting is expected to address both the security concerns in the Gulf and the economic partnership. While India seeks assurances for the safety of its seafarers and a resolution to tariff disputes, the US is likely to emphasize compliance with its blockade and the importance of the trade deal. The outcome of this meeting could set the tone for future bilateral cooperation.
What Readers Should Know
- The G7 summit provides a platform for Modi and Trump to discuss critical issues face-to-face.
- India has lost three seafarers in US Navy attacks, leading to diplomatic protests.
- The US insists on adherence to its blockade and orders in the Strait of Hormuz.
- A bilateral trade deal is nearly finalized, with only minor details remaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Modi-Trump meeting significant?
It is the first meeting since Trump imposed 50% tariffs on India and after three Indian seafarers were killed in US Navy attacks in the Gulf of Oman.
What did India protest about?
India strongly protested the US Navy attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which resulted in three deaths.
What is the status of the India-US trade deal?
The interim trade agreement is 99% complete, according to US Ambassador Sergio Gor, with only the final 1% to be negotiated.
How did the US respond to India's protest?
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that violations of the blockade and illicit transport of Iranian oil will not be tolerated, and vessels must comply with US orders.