PM Modi Meets President Trump In France: 'Keeping Hormuz Open Vital For Global Economy'

Published 17 June 2026 · politics

PM Modi Meets President Trump In France: 'Keeping Hormuz Open Vital For Global Economy' Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 19:51 IST President Trump

PM Modi Meets President Trump In France: 'Keeping Hormuz Open Vital For Global Economy' Published By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 19:51 IST President Trump said India has an important role to play in West Asia and expressed confidence in PM Modi's leadership. The two leaders met on Tuesday, exchanged pleasantries and held a brief conversation at a gathering of G7 leaders, marking their first in-person encounter in 16 months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump for bilateral talks in France on Wednesday, with discussions covering regional security, maritime stability and developments in West Asia. During the meeting, PM Modi commended Trump for his leadership efforts aimed at restoring peace in West Asia and underscored the importance of ensuring the free flow of global trade through the Strait of Hormuz. “Keeping the Strait of Hormuz open is vital for the global economy.

India has consistently emphasised the importance of freedom of navigation, and we should work together on this issue. Hundreds of lakhs of seafarers are performing their duties across the world, including in the Strait of Hormuz. The security of Indian seafarers is equally important," PM Modi said. Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks, President Trump said India has an important role to play in West Asia and expressed confidence in PM Modi’s leadership. “India has a big role in West Asia as long as Prime Minister Modi is the leader," Trump said. US President Donald Trump also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s contribution to strengthening economic ties between the two countries, highlighting India’s investments in the United States. “Prime Minister Modi is building a lot in the United States. He is spending a lot of money in the US," Trump said during the bilateral meeting in France.

Trump also underscored his personal rapport with the Indian Prime Minister, saying, “I just want to say he has been my friend for a long time. It’s great to be with you. Thank you very much." The two leaders met on Tuesday, exchanged pleasantries and held a brief conversation at a gathering of G7 leaders, marking their first in-person encounter in 16 months. Following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to India last month, the two sides were now looking at rebuilding the bilateral ties. The two leaders last met in person at the White House in February 2025, weeks after Trump’s second inauguration. After that, the ties became strained due to Trump’s imposition of tariffs on India and later his claim of ending the India-Pakistan conflict last year following Operation Sindoor. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Saurabh Verma Senior Sub-editor Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor.