A bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump is likely to take place on the sidelines of the upcoming G7 Summit 2026 in France on June 16-17, according to sources. While the meeting has not yet been officially confirmed, both leaders are expected to be present at the summit, creating a natural opportunity for direct discussions.
Officials indicate that the proposed meeting remains dependent on the finalization of schedules and the numerous bilateral and multilateral engagements planned during the summit. If it takes place, it would be one of the most closely watched diplomatic interactions at the gathering, given the importance of India-US relations and ongoing global developments.
The possibility of a Modi-Trump meeting comes as Prime Minister Modi prepares for a six-day visit to France and Slovakia from June 13 to June 18. The visit is designed to strengthen India's strategic partnerships in Europe while also providing opportunities for engagement with world leaders attending the G7 Summit.
Modi's trip will begin in the French city of Nice, where he is scheduled to hold extensive bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on June 13 and 14. The discussions are expected to cover the full spectrum of cooperation under the India-France Special Global Strategic Partnership, which has become one of India's most significant strategic relationships in Europe.
During the visit to Nice, Modi and Macron are also expected to jointly inaugurate the "Bharat Innovates" event, an initiative aimed at bringing together leading startups, investors, venture capital funds, and innovation-focused organizations from India, France, and other countries. The programme forms part of the India-France Year of Innovation and is intended to deepen cooperation in technology, entrepreneurship, and emerging industries.
Following his engagements in France, Modi will travel to Slovakia on June 14 for a State Visit at the invitation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The visit carries particular significance because it will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Slovakia since the country's independence in 1993.
During his stay in Slovakia, Modi is expected to hold discussions with Prime Minister Fico and meet Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. The talks are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, automobile manufacturing, engineering, railway infrastructure, and other areas of mutual economic interest.
After completing the Slovakia leg of the trip, Modi will return to France to participate in the G7 Summit in Evian on June 16 and 17. Although India is not a member of the G7, it has frequently been invited as a partner country because of its growing economic and geopolitical significance.
At the summit, Modi is expected to engage with leaders from the G7 nations, partner countries, and major international organizations. Discussions are likely to focus on global economic cooperation, sustainable development, technological innovation, artificial intelligence governance, climate-related challenges, and international security issues.
The summit will also provide an opportunity for several bilateral meetings with world leaders. Among these, a potential meeting with Trump is expected to attract considerable attention due to the importance of cooperation between India and the United States in areas such as defence, trade, technology, energy, and regional security.
The timing of a possible Modi-Trump meeting is particularly notable given ongoing global developments, including geopolitical tensions in multiple regions, evolving trade relationships, technological competition, and discussions surrounding artificial intelligence and supply-chain resilience. Both leaders are expected to use the summit as a platform to discuss matters of strategic importance and explore areas for deeper collaboration.
Following the conclusion of the G7 Summit, Modi is scheduled to travel to Paris on June 18 for additional engagements. These include participation in VivaTech 2026, one of Europe's largest technology and startup events, where he is expected to interact with innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and technology leaders from around the world.
The Prime Minister is also expected to meet members of the Indian diaspora in France, highlighting the role of overseas Indian communities in strengthening India's international relationships and economic partnerships.
Overall, the visit is aimed at advancing India's strategic engagement with France, Slovakia, and major global economies while showcasing the country's growing influence in innovation, technology, digital transformation, and international policymaking. If the proposed Modi-Trump meeting is finalized, it could emerge as one of the most significant bilateral engagements on the margins of the G7 Summit and provide further momentum to the India-US partnership.
