US, India eye trade talks around G7 meet

Trade between the United States and India is set to feature in discussions between President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. The meeting will take place during the summit, which is scheduled for June 15 to 17 and brings together leaders of major global economies along with delegations from partner countries such as India.

A senior U.S. administration official described a potential bilateral trade agreement with India as possible, framing it as part of the broader U.S.-India relationship. The official linked New Delhi’s ambitions for its global role with the importance of deepening economic and trade ties with Washington.

Despite signaling openness to an agreement, the U.S. official tempered expectations for an immediate outcome at the G7. The official explicitly said that no agreement on a trade deal is expected to be reached at the summit and added, “I do not think we will close that deal at the G7.”

This guidance positions the Evian meetings as an opportunity to review progress and exchange political signals on trade rather than as a venue for signing a comprehensive accord. It indicates that negotiations remain at a stage where further detailed work is required beyond the leaders’ discussions.

To continue the process, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is scheduled to travel to India in the week following the G7 summit. The visit is intended for further discussions on a possible bilateral trade deal, suggesting that technical-level talks will follow the high-level engagement in France.

The sequence of a leaders’ meeting followed by a trade official’s visit underscores a phased approach to negotiations. While the sources do not specify particular sectors, measures, or timelines, they make clear that both sides are preparing for continued engagement shortly after the summit concludes.

The emphasis on trade during the G7 meeting and the planned follow-up trip reflect a shared interest in shaping the future direction of the U.S.-India economic relationship. Officials highlight the importance of this relationship within India’s broader ambitions and within U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, though no detailed policy framework is provided in the available information.

Taken together, the confirmed plans point to a near-term calendar of negotiations rather than a single decisive event. The G7 summit will serve as a platform for Trump and Modi to discuss trade at a political level, with the substantive work on any potential agreement expected to continue in India the following week.