# Handshake but No Hug: Why the Modi Trump Meeting at G7 Stayed Cold After 16 Long Months

> PM Modi and President Donald Trump came face to face after 16 months at the G7 summit in France on Tuesday, but this time there was only a handshake and a brief exchange, with the familiar warm hug noticeably absent.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Politics · **Published:** 2026-06-17 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/politics/g7-men-modi-aura-trnpa-ki-mulakata-sirpha-hatha-milaya-gale-nahin-lage-janie-isa-1369 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Modi Trump meeting, G7 summit, India US relations, trade tariff, India Pakistan mediation, Narendra Modi, Donald Trump

After a long wait, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump finally stood face to face once again, but the picture this time looked very different from before. The two leaders shared a brief encounter on Tuesday during the ongoing G7 summit in France. Hands were shaken and a few words were exchanged, yet the familiar warmth, the hug, was missing this time around. Their last in person meeting had taken place in February 2025 in America, and this short interaction came a full 16 months later.

## The Handshake Happened, the Hug Did Not
The gap between a handshake and a hug was more than a matter of formality. Over the past 16 months, relations between India and the United States have soured on several fronts, and that strain was visible in this very distance. The closeness seen in earlier meetings had given way to a careful, measured space between the two.

## Two Minutes Together in the Group Photo, Yet Apart
Before heading into the G7 outreach session, when the group photograph was taken, only French President Macron stood between PM Modi and Trump. The two leaders remained near each other for more than two minutes, but throughout this time there was neither eye contact nor any sign of one moving toward the other. Interestingly, during the same period both leaders were seen engaging in conversation with several other leaders.

## PM Modi's Measured Stance
Prime Minister Modi appeared remarkably composed and showed no particular eagerness to meet Trump. It is believed that several matters may have weighed on his mind, ranging from the recent US strike that killed three Indian sailors to trade tariffs and the claims of mediation between India and Pakistan. These are the very issues that have pushed India US relations into their weakest phase in the past 20 years.

## How the Face to Face Exchange Finally Took Place
During the group photo before the outreach session began, there had been no interaction between the two leaders. When both arrived at the session, Trump had already taken his place, while Modi was approaching his seat from the other side. Since their seats were placed right next to each other, Modi's gaze fell on Trump, hands were shaken and a brief conversation followed. During this exchange Trump patted Modi on the arm, but the meeting remained confined to a handshake and a few words.

## No Public Birthday Wish Either
It is worth noting that just three days earlier, on June 14, Donald Trump had celebrated his 80th birthday. Leaders from many countries around the world sent him their good wishes on the occasion, yet no public greeting came from PM Modi. This stands out all the more because when Modi completed 75 years and set the record as an elected PM in India, Trump had sent him his wishes.

## India's Message Hidden in the Gestures
Over the past 16 months, the two leaders have spoken on the phone several times, yet India and PM Modi have kept their diplomacy with the United States carefully balanced. By limiting Tuesday's brief encounter to a handshake, Modi may well have been signaling that, in order to travel the distance from a handshake to a hug, Trump and America will now have to be mindful of India's sentiments. Until then, a handshake will have to suffice.

## What this means for you
**What this means for you:**

- The chill in India US ties is linked to issues like trade tariffs, which could affect imports, exports and business dealings down the line.
- With both countries keeping diplomacy balanced, the chances of a major flare up remain low for now, meaning no immediate direct shock for ordinary people.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When and where did this Modi Trump meeting take place?
The meeting took place on Tuesday during the ongoing G7 summit in France.

### 2. When had the two leaders met before this?
Modi and Trump last met in person in February 2025 in America, which was 16 months earlier.

### 3. What was notable about this meeting?
This time there was only a handshake and a brief conversation, with no warm hug, and Trump patted Modi on the arm.

### 4. Why did Modi not wish Trump on his birthday?
Trump celebrated his 80th birthday on June 14, but no public greeting came from Modi, which is being seen as part of India's measured stance.

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