India's Modi, Trump likely to meet at G7, discuss trade, visas, source says

NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold bilateral talks with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, with trade, visa policies and energy cooperation likely to dominate the agenda, according to an Indian government source.

The G7 summit, scheduled from June 15 to 17 in Evian-les-Bains, France, will gather leaders from the world’s major economies, including Trump and other high-level delegations such as India’s.

Modi is set to begin a five-day visit on June 13 and is also expected to travel to Slovakia after attending the summit.

“The prime minister is expected to discuss trade relations, energy cooperation and the issue of H-1B visas,” the source, who has direct knowledge of the matter, said.

A potential meeting between Modi and Trump would come at a sensitive time in bilateral relations between New Delhi and Washington, which have been strained by U.S. tariffs on Indian exports and Trump’s repeated claims—denied by India—that he helped mediate India’s brief conflict with Pakistan last year.

Despite these tensions, recent high-level engagements, including a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to India, have helped stabilize communications between the two sides. Discussions have covered trade, visa policies, maritime security, energy supplies and broader regional issues in the Middle East.

Trade negotiations between India and the United States are also progressing toward an initial phase of a bilateral agreement, which Indian officials say could be completed by mid-July.

India is seeking preferential tariff treatment as part of the ongoing talks for an interim trade deal, while Washington has proposed additional tariffs on imports from India and other countries, citing concerns over forced labor—allegations New Delhi has rejected.

“The talks on the additional tariff have not concluded yet, and we are hopeful that we will get competitive rates,” another Indian government source said.

The tightening of H-1B visa requirements is also expected to be discussed, given its impact on thousands of Indian professionals working in the United States.

The sources added that Modi and Trump may also explore possible energy cooperation involving the United States and Venezuela.

-Reporting by Saurabh Sharma; Editing by Christopher Cushing / Reuters