Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held their first bilateral meeting in 16 months in France, ahead of the expected signing of an interim peace agreement between the US and Iran. During their media interaction, Modi expressed confidence that the issue of Indian seafarers would receive the highest priority in the implementation of the deal, thanking Trump for his tremendous efforts in reaching it.
Safety of Indian Seafarers
When asked about the deaths of three Indian mariners in US strikes on a tanker in the Gulf of Oman last week, Trump acknowledged the incident but downplayed it, calling it a rough profession and noting such events have occurred throughout history. Modi did not directly refer to the attack but emphasized that hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers operate on global maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, and their safety is of utmost importance to India. He reiterated the need to ensure civilian safety, including seafarers, in a post on X.
Trade Deal and Bilateral Ties
Trump stated that India and the US are very close to a trade deal, calling Modi a tough negotiator. He dismissed any deterioration in ties, asserting that India has a great friend in the White House. Modi reviewed sustained progress in bilateral cooperation across trade, energy, defence, technology, and people-to-people ties.
Defence Cooperation and Quad
Trump made a lighthearted remark that if anyone attacks Modi, the US would be there to help, but added he was not sure about a new leader. When asked about Quad, Trump recalled his 2020 visit to India, including the Narendra Modi stadium in Gujarat. The meeting followed the US decision to revert the name of the US Indo-Pacific Command to Pacific Command, reversing a 2018 change that had signalled India's growing strategic importance.
G2 and China
Trump mentioned a G2 meeting alongside the G20, alluding to his recent China visit and President Xi Jinping's upcoming return visit. This marked the first time Trump used the term G2 in Modi's presence, raising concerns in India about a potential US-China duopoly. The decision to rename the Indo-Pacific Command further compounded these worries, following a year of discord over trade, immigration, and geopolitical issues.
Additional Remarks
Trump reiterated his claim of ending eight wars, though he did not explicitly mention the India-Pakistan conflict. He also recalled the Howdy Modi event in Houston and said he would visit India in the future. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier delivered an invitation to Modi to visit the US, but Trump did not mention it during the interaction.
