US President Donald Trump, fresh from his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 Summit in France, lavished praise on the Indian leader in an interview with Axios. Trump described Modi as a 'very tough cookie,' noting that he has been in power for over 12 years, is 'very solid,' and possesses 'a great calmness' despite being a 'very tough guy.' The remarks came in response to a question about the two world leaders Trump likes the most, alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump also later listed Pakistan's Army chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as leaders he admires.
Praise for Modi's Leadership and Strategy
Trump highlighted Modi's ability to stay out of wars, calling it 'smart,' and emphasized India's population of 1.5 billion, saying, 'He's actually the biggest. India's actually the biggest. And Modi's a great leader.' The former president, known for his fascination with entertainment and ratings, called both Xi and Modi 'classics,' adding that 'if you were going to make a movie about either one of them, you wouldn't be able to find the man in Hollywood.' He also raved about their looks and personality.
At the G7 meeting, Trump had previously described Modi as 'the most beautiful-looking man' who looks 'so nice, like an angel,' but a 'killer' in negotiations. In the Axios interview, Trump reiterated, 'Modi's a great leader. He stays out of wars, which is smart.'
Trade Relations and Tariff Tensions
Trump also discussed US-India trade, saying, 'We do a lot of business with India, but now we do fair business. They used to really rip us off. I don't blame them for that. You know, we had stupid politicians that allowed that to happen. But now we do a lot of business. They're not that happy about it because they used to do a lot better. So Modi's great.'
However, economic pundits and trade experts have frequently pointed out that in Trump's diplomatic playbook, high-gloss adulation usually signals an immediate, transactional ambush. While praising Xi and PM Modi, the MAGA supremo has simultaneously launched trade wars, imposed tariffs, and restricted technology transfers. Since his return to office for a second term, New Delhi has faced punitive tariffs, pressure in trade negotiations, a downgrading of Quad and Indo-Pacific formulations, and explicit signals from Washington that India's economic rise may not necessarily align with American interests.
Context and Implications
The interview underscores the complex dynamics of US-India relations under Trump, where personal admiration coexists with aggressive trade policies. Trump's praise for Modi and Xi comes amid ongoing trade disputes and geopolitical tensions. The mention of Pakistani leaders further highlights Trump's transactional approach to international relations.
