A brief exchange between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G7 Summit
June 17, 2026: Speculation over the long-awaited India-UK trade agreement intensified after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer were overheard discussing what appeared to be a breakthrough during the G7 Summit in France. During a conversation on the sidelines of the summit, Modi was heard saying, “We did it,” to which Starmer replied, “We got it over the line,” raising expectations that key issues surrounding the agreement may have been resolved.
Although neither leader directly mentioned the trade deal, their remarks have fuelled hopes that the agreement is moving closer to implementation. The deal was concluded last year but has faced delays due to procedural requirements in the UK and more recently because of disagreements over Britain’s steel safeguard measures, which India has argued could affect trade concessions under the pact.
The conversation became even more intriguing when an aide was heard asking how the development should be announced. Starmer suggested issuing a statement and discussing the matter further with officials. Later, during their formal bilateral meeting, both leaders expressed optimism about the early implementation of the comprehensive economic and trade agreement. However, neither side’s official statement referred to the ongoing steel safeguard dispute.