India and the United States are exploring the possibility of a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France next week, according to people familiar with the matter.
No Confirmation Yet
There is no clarity yet on whether the two leaders will be able to meet, as it depends on several factors including their respective schedules, the sources said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced that Modi will undertake a week-long visit to France and Slovakia starting Saturday.
G7 Summit Details
The G7 summit is scheduled to be held in Evian, France, from June 15 to 17. Both New Delhi and Washington are looking at the possibility of a short meeting between Modi and Trump, the sources added.
Following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit to India last month, the two sides are now working to rebuild bilateral ties. The relationship had soured after Washington imposed punitive tariffs on India and President Trump made controversial statements about his role in de-escalating India-Pakistan military clashes last May.
Rubio's Invitation
During his meeting with the prime minister, Rubio extended an invitation from President Trump for Modi to visit the White House in the near future. The top American diplomat described India as the cornerstone of Washington's approach to the Indo-Pacific region.
Modi's Itinerary
PM Modi will first travel to the French port city of Nice for a bilateral meeting with President Emmanuel Macron on June 14. From Nice, he will proceed to Slovakia for a state visit from June 14 to 16.
The prime minister will then return to France to attend the outreach sessions of the G7 summit from June 16 to 17. During the summit, he will exchange views with G7 leaders and representatives from invited partner countries and international organizations, the MEA said.
Bilateral Meetings
On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders, the MEA added without elaborating.
The prime minister's participation in the G7 reflects India's standing as a leading voice of the Global South and a key partner in addressing global challenges, the MEA stated.
Final Leg in Paris
In the final leg of his visit, Modi will travel to Paris on June 18 for further bilateral engagements and to attend the VivaTech Summit, Europe's largest technology and startup event.
