So, the much-anticipated handshake between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 sidelines in Kananaskis didn’t happen. Was it an accident of war or a diplomatic sleight-of-hand? Depends on who you ask. The Indian media, ever the spinner of “Modi moment” narratives, may try to package it as a missed opportunity, or worse, a setback. But let’s not be fooled—it may have been a blessing in disguise. Or better yet, a clever face-saving dodge by both sides. Modi, invited by Canadian PM Mark Carney to the G7 summit—not as a member, but as a special guest—was expected to meet Trump to smooth over an increasingly frayed trade relationship. But Trump, the master of sudden exits and dramatic proclamations, abruptly cut short his stay, citing an urgent return to the White House to deal with escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. Fair enough. The Middle East is, after all, Trump’s favourite theatre for tough talk and vague threats. Just last week, he promised to “take the shit out of Iran”—charming as ever—while simultaneously advising Israel to exercise “restraint.” Of course, he also boasted (yet again) that he stopped the India-Pakistan conflict recently, as if the subcontinent were a WWE ring and he the referee. Let’s not pretend that a Modi-Trump tête-à-tête would have solved anything. Trade talks between the two countries have hit multiple roadblocks—India’s refusal to open the floodgates to genetically modified crops being one of the key sticking points. American trade officials want free access, while India wants to preserve its agricultural sovereignty. The deadline to avert higher US tariffs is July 9, and negotiators are nowhere close to a breakthrough. A face-to-face meeting might have only highlighted the stalemate.
Worse, it could have led to an awkward diplomatic gaffe, considering Trump’s habit of making off-the-cuff claims that baffle even his own advisors. Recall his boastful assertion that he “mediated” a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—a claim flatly denied by Indian officials. Meeting Modi might have prompted another gem like “I fixed Kashmir,” forcing the Indian delegation into cleanup mode. So yes, Trump skipping town may have been less a snub and more a sigh of relief for South Block. And then there’s the realpolitik. Israel, now emboldened and vowing not to talk peace until Tehran’s nuclear capabilities are vaporized, has made it clear that it won’t negotiate until it finishes what it started. Sound familiar? That’s what India said after the Pahalgam massacre, demanding that talks with Pakistan only resume if Islamabad returns occupied Kashmir (PoK). The parallels are too stark to miss. But here’s where it gets muddier. Iran, after five days of war, has agreed to talk—but with a mysterious “rider” no one seems to know about. Meanwhile, the US quietly moves 30 fighter jets and military equipment to Europe. Helping Ukraine? Helping Israel? Or simply flexing a muscle? Only Trump’s Twitter—or Threads, depending on the day—might offer clues. Back to Modi. He may not have gotten his photo-op with Trump, but he still has meetings lined up with Canadian PM Carney, as well as leaders from Germany, Ukraine, and Italy. Reports suggest he and Carney may announce a joint initiative to combat cross-border crime—a serious issue that affects both nations. These are not just consolation prizes—they’re the pragmatic stuff of global diplomacy. So, was the Modi-Trump non-meeting a missed opportunity? Not quite. In the complex world of international diplomacy, sometimes what doesn’t happen is just as important as what does. For Modi, skipping the Trump drama may have been a strategic retreat wrapped in diplomatic serendipity. And for Trump, avoiding a messy trade spat while pretending to play global peacemaker in the Middle East? That’s classic showman politics—no surprise there.
