PM Modi, Donald Trump may come face-to-face at G7 Summit in France next month

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are expected to come face-to-face in France next month at the G7 Summit.The White House told news agency AFP that Trump will travel to France despite tensions between Washington and its allies over a host of issues ranging from Iran to tariffs.The summit, scheduled to be held from June 15 to 17 in Évian-les-Bains in southeastern France, is expected to cover issues including artificial intelligence, trade, critical minerals, immigration and global security.Discussions are also likely to focus on reducing regulatory barriers and increasing energy production, particularly fossil fuels. Iran is expected to feature prominently in the broader conversations amid the continuing tensions in West Asia.Trump has repeatedly criticised NATO allies — including the UK, France, Germany and Italy — accusing them of failing to provide sufficient backing to Washington during the ongoing conflict with Iran.The strategic strain has also prompted a shift in rhetoric from key European capitals. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently reaffirmed the importance of trans-Atlantic ties, describing the United States as Germany’s “most important partner in the North Atlantic Alliance”, days after criticising Trump’s handling of the West Asia conflict.Trump’s attendance at the summit had not previously been confirmed for the meeting of the Group of Seven leading economies in the French Alpine resort town.Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, during his visit to India in February, had extended an invitation to PM Modi. Although India is not a permanent member of the G7, it regularly participates in the annual summit as a special invitee.PM Modi and Trump last met in February in Washington following the latter’s return to the Oval Office.At the high-profile meeting, held against the backdrop of tariff tensions, Trump described Modi as a “great friend”, while the two leaders pledged to double India-US trade to $500 billion by 2030.The expected meeting in France will be closely watched for signals on trade negotiations, energy cooperation and the broader strategic alignment between New Delhi and Washington amid growing global geopolitical tensions.