“G7 Summit 2026 discussions opened in Évian-les-Bains, France, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for greater trust and cooperation among nations amid growing geopolitical tensions.“
ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — The 52nd G7 Summit entered a crucial phase on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a string of meetings with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, while positioning India at the center of discussions on trade, artificial intelligence, maritime security and global partnerships.
The summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in the lakeside town of Évian-les-Bains from June 15 to June 17, comes at a moment of mounting geopolitical tension, with conflicts in West Asia, disruptions to global shipping routes and the ongoing war in Ukraine dominating conversations among leaders.
India is attending the summit as a guest nation for the 13th time, while Modi’s appearance marks his seventh consecutive participation in the annual gathering of major industrialized economies.
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Modi-Trump Meeting Puts Focus on Trade and AI
One of the most closely watched developments at the summit is Modi’s engagement with Trump, their first face-to-face interaction in roughly 16 months.
According to summit updates, the two leaders exchanged greetings on the sidelines before a planned bilateral meeting focused on economic growth, supply chains, artificial intelligence, investment partnerships and global security.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of broader US efforts to strengthen strategic supply chains and reduce vulnerabilities in critical sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and AI infrastructure.
Photographs from the summit showed the two leaders shaking hands and speaking briefly ahead of formal discussions.
Officials indicated that trade cooperation and technology partnerships would be central topics, although no major agreement was expected to be announced immediately.
The Modi-Trump engagement is being closely watched by diplomats and investors alike because it comes as governments seek new economic alignments amid continuing instability in global markets.
Maritime Security Emerges as Major Theme
A recurring issue throughout the summit has been the security of global shipping routes, particularly in West Asia.
Speaking during outreach discussions attended by G7 leaders and partner nations, Modi drew attention to the impact of regional conflicts on maritime trade and civilian lives.
“We welcome the progress made in peace efforts in West Asia“, Modi said. “The safety of seafarers, who connect nations through global maritime trade, is our responsibility“.
He added that disruptions affecting maritime routes had harmed the global economy and noted that Indian civilians had also lost their lives during recent regional turmoil.
The comments come as governments continue monitoring developments around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors. Roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade normally passes through the route, making any disruption a concern for energy markets and supply chains.
Maritime security was also discussed during Modi’s meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, technology, investment, defence and logistics while discussing regional developments in West Asia.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the meeting reflected the growing strategic relationship between the two countries.
G7 Summit 2026 Focuses on Trust and Global Cooperation
Beyond bilateral meetings, Modi used the summit’s outreach session to advance a broader message about international cooperation.
Addressing leaders during the session titled “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity“, Modi argued that global institutions and partnerships face a growing trust deficit.
“The globe doesn’t suffer from a shortage of resources, but a shortage of trust“, he said.
In a separate social media post shared from the summit, Modi wrote that the future of global partnerships depended on rebuilding trust and strengthening cooperation among nations.
The remarks align with India’s longstanding effort to position itself as a representative voice for developing countries and the wider Global South.
Modi’s diplomatic schedule in Évian also included meetings with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
His talks with Carney focused on trade, technology and energy cooperation, while discussions with Starmer centered on strengthening bilateral ties and expanding strategic engagement between India and the United Kingdom.
Elsewhere at the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met leaders to seek additional support amid continuing Russian attacks. Zelensky urged G7 countries to maintain pressure on Moscow and push for stronger security commitments.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed leaders to the summit venue, where discussions have increasingly centered on economic resilience, artificial intelligence governance, critical mineral supply chains and energy security.
As meetings continue through June 17, the summit’s outcome is expected to be measured less by ceremonial appearances and more by whether leaders can translate conversations on trade, technology and security into concrete policy action.
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