Modi Reports US-India Trade Progress After Trump Meeting

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced "significant progress" in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, following a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France. This marks the leaders' first face-to-face discussion since February 2025.

A statement from India's foreign ministry indicated that both leaders were "particularly satisfied" with the advancements made toward an interim bilateral trade agreement. President Trump, when asked about the proximity of a deal, told reporters they were "very close."

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The leaders noted with particular satisfaction the significant progress made in negotiations towards an interim bilateral trade agreement.

"He's a very tough negotiator, one of the toughest, actually. So you look at this man, I'll give you a lesson," Trump remarked about Modi, adding, "He's the most beautiful looking man. He looks so nice. He's like an angel, but actually he's a killer."

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He's a very tough negotiator, one of the toughest, actually. So you look at this man, I'll give you a lesson. He's the most beautiful looking man. He looks so nice. He's like an angel, but actually he's a killer.

Officials from both nations have been directed to expedite efforts to finalize a "commercially meaningful agreement." U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is scheduled to visit India next week for further talks. The two countries have set an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030, aiming to resolve issues related to market access and tariffs.

Negotiations had previously slowed after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Trump's tariff measures. Following this, the Trump administration initiated investigations into unfair trade practices by several countries, including India, while imposing a 10 percent tariff. Earlier in June, India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had stated that the countries were "about 99pc" complete on the first tranche of a trade deal.

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The countries were 'about 99pc' done with the first tranche of a trade deal.