ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE June 16, 2026 — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen helping U.S. President Donald Trump position himself on the stairs during the traditional family photo at the 2026 G7 Summit on Tuesday.
Video footage from the outdoor gathering shows world leaders assembling on tiered steps at a scenic venue in Évian-les-Bains. As the group prepared for the official photograph, Modi, dressed in his signature light blue vest and white kurta, gestured and appeared to guide Trump into place beside him in the front row.
The moment captured a casual, cooperative interaction between the two leaders amid the formal summit proceedings. Trump, in a dark suit, adjusted his stance as other attendees—including French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (as a guest), and various first ladies and dignitaries—settled in. The leaders smiled, clapped, and posed before dispersing.
This was the first in-person meeting between Modi and Trump in over 16 months. While the photo op showed a moment of assistance and proximity, their later bilateral interaction was described as more formal, featuring a handshake rather than the warm embraces seen in previous encounters.
The G7 Summit, hosted by France from June 15-17, focuses on pressing global issues including the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, trade, and economic stability. India participates as an outreach partner, with Modi using the platform to engage key leaders and highlight concerns such as the safety of Indian seafarers.
The clip, shared widely on social media including by RT, has sparked mixed reactions—ranging from praise for Modi’s helpful gesture to speculation about the current state of India-U.S. relations.
No official comments from either side were immediately available on the specific stairs moment, but it underscored the personal dynamics at play during high-profile multilateral events.
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