Trump invites Modi for G7 meet, Modi accepts

US President Donald Trump extended an invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G-7 meet in the US later year, an offer which the Indian Prime Minister has accepted.

Trump made the offer to his Indian counterpart in a telephonic conversation on Tuesday, acting on his plan to expanded G7 – a grouping of the most powerful economic nations. The two leaders also discussed the India-China border tensions, reforms for the World Health Organising (WHO) and the coronavirus pandemic.

An official statement from the Indian government said: "President Trump warmly recalled his visit to India in February this year. Prime Minister Modi said that the visit had been memorable and historic on many accounts, and had also added new dynamism to the bilateral relationship."

A major agenda before the G7 is to discuss a collective approach to dealing with China. Earlier this week, Trump decided to postpone the G7 meeting till September and invite other powerful countries like India, Russia, Australia and South Korea.

The personal rapport between Trump and Modi has been growing visibly over the past few months. It was not just over medical diplomacy related to hydroxychloroquin at the height of the coronavirus pandemic but also the warm welcome accorded to Trump on his visit to India earlier this year.

The phone conversation comes at a time when both leaders face numerous challenges on the home front – India is locked in a stand-off against China while the US is witnessing unprecedented riots over the police killing of an unarmed Black person. Modi expressed concern regarding the ongoing civil disturbances in the US and conveyed his best wishes for an early resolution.

The Indian Prime Minister commended Trump for his "creative and far-sighted approach, acknowledging the fact that an expanded forum would be in keeping with the emerging realities of the post-Covid world.".