Trump Vows US Aid for India if Attacked; Modi Praises G7 Diplomacy
Trump Vows US Aid for India if Attacked; Modi Praises G7 Diplomacy
US President Trump offers India support against attacks, while PM Modi praises Trump's role in Iran peace efforts during a crucial G7 meeting aimed at mending strained bilateral ties.
At the G7 Summit in France, US President Donald Trump declared that the United States would come to India's aid if the country faced an attack while Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained in office. This significant announcement came during their first in-person meeting in 16 months, a gathering aimed at repairing bilateral relations that have seen considerable strain over the past year.
Prime Minister Modi, for his part, commended President Trump for his efforts in restoring peace following the Iran-US conflict. He also raised concerns about the security of seafarers, especially after the deaths of three Indian sailors in recent US attacks. Modi emphasized the importance of ensuring their safety as part of any peace deal in the region, particularly with an upcoming agreement to be signed in Geneva.
The two leaders' discussion follows a period where India-US ties experienced their lowest point in over two decades. This downturn was largely attributed to the Trump administration imposing 50% tariffs on Indian exports. The recent deaths of Indian sailors in US strikes on merchant vessels off the coast of Oman further cast a shadow over the relationship, highlighting the urgency of their meeting.
During a joint media interaction preceding their talks, Trump addressed the India-US defense relationship directly. He stated, "I think it’s a great [defence] relationship. I can tell you this – without having a contract, we don’t have a contract – but if they [India] were attacked, we would be there to help them. Is that a good statement?" This pledge underscores a potential strengthening of strategic ties, despite the recent diplomatic and trade tensions. Modi contended that a prior meeting in Washington in February 2025 had already given "new speed and new energy" to bilateral ties, indicating ongoing efforts to achieve shared goals.
