News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Cover Story News India Times (June 20, 2026 - June 26, 2026) June 26, 2026 5 “If They Are Attacked And He Is The Leader We Are Going To Help”: Trump Pledges Support To India And PM Modi U S President Donald Trump, as a sign of unwaveringsupport to India, stated that Washington will help India if the nation is attacked, provided Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the leader. During a bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the 52nd G7 Summit, Trump lauded the defense relations between India and US and affirmed support precisely for the PMModi-led nation during conflict situations. “I think it is a great relationship. If they were attacked, we would be there to help them. We don’t have a contract, but if they are attacked and he (PMModi) is the leader, we are going to be there to help. If anybody attacks that man, we are going to be there. If there is another leader, I don’t know about that, but if they are attacked and he is the leader, we are going to help”, Trump said. The two leaders were seen shaking hands after US President’s act of friendship and sup- port for PMModi. Furthermore, the US President also rec- ognised himself as a “great friend” of India, adding that the Indian Prime Minister is well respected inWashington. “As long as I am President, they (India) have a great friend in theWhite House. Everyone here loves India and they have tremendous respect for this (PM Narendra Modi) man,” he said. The two leaders met at the G7 Summit in France, their first in-person talks in 16+ months, a move past trade and geopolitical tensions and steadying the relationship between the two democracies. It started with a warm handshake at Tuesday’s G7 outreach. ByWednesday, PMModi and Donald Trump were in serious talks. And Trump even called the Prime Minister “calm and cool.” TheWhite House had earlier confirmed that the meeting would focus heavily on advancing the proposed India-US trade agreement. Earlier sources also said that PMModi and Trump were likely to discuss the situation inWest Asia, the strategic Strait of Hormuz, energy im- ports from the United States and the proposed bilateral trade agreement during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. The sources also said both countries are keen on build- ing a long-term energy partnership, with discussions expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in the energy sector amid concerns over disruptions to global supply chains caused by tensions inWest Asia. The proposed India-US trade deal is in its final stages, with negotiations progressing steadily and work on the agreement expected to be completed in the coming weeks. The two nations reached an interim trade agreement earlier in February after a year of talks. The meeting assumes significance as instability in the Strait of Hormuz continues to impact global energy markets and maritime trade. The narrow waterway remains one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, handling a substantial portion of global oil and gas supplies. ADDON FROM NEWS INDIA TIMES: Experts from the Asia Society Policy Insti- tute gave the Trump-Modi meeting a plus. Wendy Cutler — Senior Vice President, ASPI, said, “The Trump-Modi meeting on the margins of the G7 was a necessary step in getting our bilateral relations back on track. Importantly, USTR Greer will visit India next week, which provides the perfect opportunity to wrap up the first phase of bilateral trade ne- gotiations. Each of these steps will help repair the bilateral relationship, which should be a strategic and economic priority for the Trump administration. Farwa Aamer — Director of South Asia Initia- tives at ASPI, said, “There were a lot of eyes on the meeting given the Trump and Modi were coming face to face after a year of strained ties giving way to an evident trust deficit in the bilateral dynamic. PM Modi took the opportunity to assert the need for trust building ahead of the bilateral meeting.” Aamer continued, “While there were no major out- comes and that was expected, there was reassurance that the trade deal is close. On U.S.-India defense, Trump shared that the U.S. would help India if it was attacked,” “But the fact that the two leaders met helps stabilize some of the relationship optics. Does it fully restore the trust? Maybe not, but the leadership level engagement sets a positive pace for the two countries to work toward shared interests.” - ANI PHOTO: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN U.S. President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. U .S. President Donald Trump said onWednesday he had held a “very good” conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 summit in France and that their two countries were working on trade deals. Trump called Modi a “tough negotiator,” and told reporters that he would be going to India “sometime in the future”. India has been pressing the United States for months for a Trump trip, potentially as part of a meeting includ- ing Japan and Australia. The two leaders’ meeting is their first since February 2025, when Modi visitedWashington within weeks of Trump returning to theWhite House, and the two sides agreed to resolve their differences over trade and tariffs. Ties, however, have since deteriorated, withWash- ington imposing high tariffs on Indian goods, punishing New Delhi for purchasing Russian oil, and engaging closely with India’s arch-rival Pakistan. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India last month seeking to repair ties, but the killing of three Indian sailors in attacks on commercial ships by the U.S. Navy in the Gulf has roiled relations again. Modi told Trump, in the presence of reporters, that the safety of Indian seafarers working in the Strait of Hormuz region was of “utmost importance” to New Delhi. MODI WANTS IRAN DEAL TO INCLUDE SAFETY OF SAILORS “You are aware that hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers are working across the world, performing their duties along international maritime trade routes — including the Strait of Hormuz — and their safety is of utmost importance to us,” Modi said. “You have made tremendous efforts to reach this understanding, and I am confident that the issue of sea- farers will receive the highest priority during the imple- mentation of this agreement,” Modi said, referring to the U.S. peace agreement with Iran. Asked by reporters if he shared his condolences on the deaths of the Indian sailors, Trump said: “It’s a rough profession, there’s no question about it, and we work to- gether on it …We love all of those people, they’re great people.” Trump also said the United States would defend India. “If they were attacked, we would be there to help them,” Trump said, when asked about the U.S.-India defense relationship. “If anybody attacks that man, we’re going to be there,” Trump said, referencing Modi. “Now, if there’s a new leader, I’m not sure about it.” - Reuters Trump, Modi Discuss Trade, Safety Of Indian Sailors In Gulf Region PHOTO: REUTERS/EVELYN HOCKSTEIN U.S. President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. By Steve Holland, Bo Erickson and Sakshi Dayal