No hugs with Trump, PM Modi’s subtle message to US… What unfolded at the G7 summit in France

The G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, became a stage for strained international relations, particularly between India and the US. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met for the first time in 16 months, with no hug exchanged—only a handshake and a light pat on the arm. The meeting followed tensions over the US tariffs on Indian exports, the Operation Sindoor ceasefire, and the recent US military strike on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, which killed three Indian seafarers. Modi addressed the summit, warning that the US-Iran conflict had disrupted global trade and cost Indian lives. He stressed the need for dialogue, international cooperation, and safe maritime routes, saying, ‘The safety of seafarers, who connect all countries through global maritime trade, is our responsibility.’ His remarks came days after the US attack on the Palau-flagged tanker *Settebello*, which had ignored over 60 warnings before being struck. Modi also criticized a global ‘deficit of trust,’ arguing that partnerships require mutual confidence. He referenced the Covid-19 pandemic as proof of broken international solidarity and called for a ‘credible rules-based order’ for future generations. His speech indirectly referenced the US-Iran tensions, framing them as a threat to stability. Meanwhile, Trump’s relations with European leaders remained fraught, with reports of his frustration over Israel’s actions in the region. The summit’s focus on the US-Iran conflict overshadowed other discussions, though Modi and Trump were scheduled for another meeting later in the event. The lack of warmth in the Modi-Trump interaction signaled deeper diplomatic challenges, particularly over trade and security. Modi’s emphasis on trust and maritime safety contrasted with Trump’s more confrontational approach, setting the tone for further negotiations.