In a moment that could signal a historic pivot, former President Donald Trump announced at the G7 summit in France that he would visit India “sometime in the future”. The announcement came amid ongoing discussions of a bilateral trade deal that has stalled on a series of procedural issues.

The relationship between Washington and New Delhi has been strained for months. Last year, Trump imposed tariffs on a range of Indian goods—later eased to about 10% after Supreme Court intervention—and threatened new import duties that target countries failing to curb forced labour, a move that India fiercely opposed. On top of economic friction, the United States’ air strike against a tanker that it claimed violated an Iranian blockade killed three Indian sailors in the Gulf of Oman, further inflaming diplomatic angst.

During the G7 meeting, Modi pressed Trump on the safety of seafaring workers in the Strait of Hormuz and on the lack of clear statements from the US about the March incident. Trump described Modi as a “tough negotiator” and pledged that the United States would “help” India should it face an attack, hinting at deeper defence cooperation.

India’s trade minister noted that the US and India are close to finalising “final touches” on the trade agreement, a resolution that could break the impasse that grew over tariff disputes and the legal battles over forced‑labour import restrictions. The potential deal would ease India’s dependence on imported technology and bolster US industrial interests.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the summit, other actors—most notably Pakistan and regional Middle‑East powers—have begun to view the Washington‑New Delhi accord as a new vector of influence at the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan’s mediation role between Tehran, Washington and Arab states has positioned it as a crucial player in any reshaping of maritime security.

The meeting marks a tonal shift for the two countries. In February, when Modi first visited the White House, the atmosphere was frosty; the G7 gathering offers a chance for a warmer dialogue, suggesting that the U.S. and India may be ready to write a new chapter in their partnership.

With officials slated to meet in Delhi next week, the trajectory of the U.S‑India trade discussions—and the broader security architecture it touches—remains a closely watched element of international diplomacy in the 2020s.