'India has a great friend in White House': Trump after meeting Modi, says trade deal is 'very close'
The two leaders met in the French commune of Evian-les-Bains, where world leaders have gathered for the G7 summit.
- Jun 17, 2026,
- Updated Jun 17, 2026 8:11 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held talks on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, their first in-person meeting in 16 months.
During the meeting, the US President said the two countries were very close to finalising the trade deal.
Trump described the Prime Minister as "a great friend of mine" and "a tough negotiator." He said he also plans to visit India in the future. "Will be going to India sometime in the future," Trump said.
"He's a very tough negotiator. You look at this man. I'll give you a lesson. He's the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel. But actually, he's as tough as he is a killer. But he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise. But there are a few people like this. People say he's such a nice man. I said he's very tough. He's a tough trader, and he loves the Indian people," the US President said.
"As long as I am President, they have a great friend in the White House," Trump said. "Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this man."
On the discussions at the summit, Trump said he had held productive conversations with several leaders, including Modi. "We had some great meetings in France... It's a G7. We have a G2 coming up, and then we have a G20 coming up," Trump said. "We had, in particular, some very good conversations with Prime Minister Modi of India. We're doing trade deals... A lot of things are happening between the United States and India."
Trump also highlighted growing economic engagement between the two countries. "The Prime Minister is building a lot in the United States. He's spending a lot of money in the United States, so we appreciate that job," he said.
When asked about the India-US defence relations, US President Donald Trump said, "I think it is a great relationship. If they (India) were attacked, we would be there to help them. If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there. If they are attacked and he (PM Modi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help."
Reaffirming his relationship with the Indian leader, Trump added: "But I just want to say he's been my friend for a long time now, and we've always had a great relationship, and it's great to be with you."
During the meeting, Modi praised Trump's role in efforts aimed at bringing peace to West Asia. "I commend you for your leadership on the progress in peace efforts in West Asia," the Prime Minister told the US President.
During the meeting, PM Modi raised the security and safety of Indian seafarers. "We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured, and we should also stress that. Lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that their security is equally important. I am confident that in the deal (with Iran), security of seafarers will be ensured and prioritized," Modi told Trump.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held talks on Wednesday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, their first in-person meeting in 16 months.
During the meeting, the US President said the two countries were very close to finalising the trade deal.
Trump described the Prime Minister as "a great friend of mine" and "a tough negotiator." He said he also plans to visit India in the future. "Will be going to India sometime in the future," Trump said.
"He's a very tough negotiator. You look at this man. I'll give you a lesson. He's the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel. But actually, he's as tough as he is a killer. But he looks so good. So he gets you by surprise. But there are a few people like this. People say he's such a nice man. I said he's very tough. He's a tough trader, and he loves the Indian people," the US President said.
"As long as I am President, they have a great friend in the White House," Trump said. "Everyone here loves India, and they have tremendous respect for this man."
On the discussions at the summit, Trump said he had held productive conversations with several leaders, including Modi. "We had some great meetings in France... It's a G7. We have a G2 coming up, and then we have a G20 coming up," Trump said. "We had, in particular, some very good conversations with Prime Minister Modi of India. We're doing trade deals... A lot of things are happening between the United States and India."
Trump also highlighted growing economic engagement between the two countries. "The Prime Minister is building a lot in the United States. He's spending a lot of money in the United States, so we appreciate that job," he said.
When asked about the India-US defence relations, US President Donald Trump said, "I think it is a great relationship. If they (India) were attacked, we would be there to help them. If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there. If they are attacked and he (PM Modi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help."
Reaffirming his relationship with the Indian leader, Trump added: "But I just want to say he's been my friend for a long time now, and we've always had a great relationship, and it's great to be with you."
During the meeting, Modi praised Trump's role in efforts aimed at bringing peace to West Asia. "I commend you for your leadership on the progress in peace efforts in West Asia," the Prime Minister told the US President.
During the meeting, PM Modi raised the security and safety of Indian seafarers. "We have always said that freedom of navigation should be ensured, and we should also stress that. Lakhs of Indian seafarers are on duty in different seas of the world in the sector of maritime trade. I believe that their security is equally important. I am confident that in the deal (with Iran), security of seafarers will be ensured and prioritized," Modi told Trump.