ALBAWABA- US President Donald Trump pledged American support for India in the event of an external attack during a high-level meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France.
"If India is subjected to an attack, we will help it," Trump said, underscoring Washington's commitment to strengthening strategic ties with New Delhi amid growing regional security concerns.
The meeting, held on June 16-17, marked the first in-person bilateral talks between the two leaders in more than a year. Discussions focused on trade negotiations, defence and energy cooperation, critical mineral supply chains, and stability in West Asia following recent tensions involving Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The talks took place against the backdrop of several unresolved issues between the two countries, including US tariffs, India's imports of Russian oil, and Trump's previous claims to have mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—an assertion repeatedly rejected by New Delhi.
Regional security featured prominently in the discussions following recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including an incident in June 2026 that killed three Indian seafarers.
Trump defended the recent US-Iran understanding, describing it as a step toward preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He contrasted the agreement with the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama and reiterated support for Israel's right to self-defence.
The US president also praised Modi personally, highlighting the strong rapport between the two leaders and calling for deeper cooperation in defence, trade, and commerce.
For his part, Modi stressed the importance of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open and secure, welcomed efforts to de-escalate tensions in West Asia, and raised concerns over the deaths of Indian sailors. He also reaffirmed India's position that bilateral disputes must be resolved directly between the parties involved, reiterating New Delhi's opposition to third-party mediation.
Both leaders emphasized expanding the India-US strategic partnership in defence, technology, energy, and critical minerals while maintaining momentum in trade negotiations. Official readouts from the meeting highlighted continued cooperation through frameworks such as the Quad and existing defence initiatives, despite ongoing differences over tariffs and regional security issues.
