‘World suffers from shortage of trust’

With a message that trust was in short supply globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a session with the Group of Seven (G7) countries and others on “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity.”

In addition to the G7 and India, other partner countries – Brazil, Egypt, Kenya, and South Korea – participated in these discussions along with the World Bank and African Development Bank. Mr. Modi met U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time since February 2025.

The host country, France, intended for the session to build a fairer and more effective system of international partnerships. Some of the sessions have reportedly been branded to hold Mr. Trump’s interest.

Mr. Modi summarised his messages to the gathering on social media. “Mutual trust is the most important strategic asset today. But, sadly, today, the world does not suffer from a shortage of resources…it suffers from a shortage of trust,” he wrote on X.

Mr. Modi said the future of partnerships would be built on rebuilding trust and urged countries to move beyond the donor-recipient paradigm and work as equals in the development context. India has, in recent years, sought to play a leadership role for middle-income and poorer countries – the Global South.