IBNS-CMEDIA: US President Donald Trump lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of a bilateral meeting at the G7 Summit in France, describing the Indian leader as “calm”, “cool”, and a “total killer”.
The remarks came shortly before the two leaders sat down for their first formal bilateral engagement in more than a year, signalling the continued personal rapport between them despite recent strains in India-US relations.
Speaking during a gathering of world leaders, Trump contrasted his own personality with that of the Indian Prime Minister.
“Unlike PM Modi, who’s calm, cool and a total killer, I am not. Just look at him,” Trump said.
The comment drew attention as it followed a more restrained interaction between the two leaders a day earlier.
During Tuesday’s engagement, Modi and Trump exchanged a formal handshake, with observers noting the absence of the warm embraces that had often characterised their previous meetings.
However, Wednesday’s interaction appeared markedly different, with Trump openly praising Modi’s composure and leadership qualities.
Trump has previously referred to Modi as a “total killer”, using the phrase to describe the Prime Minister’s negotiating abilities and political toughness.
In 2024, during the US presidential election campaign, Trump spoke warmly about the Indian leader in a podcast.
“Modi, he’s a friend of mine and also the nicest human being… On the outside, he looks like he’s your father. He is the nicest and a total killer,” Trump had said.
He repeated similar praise at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit last year, where he highlighted Modi’s strong leadership style.
“Prime Minister Modi, he’s a great-looking guy. But he’s a killer – tough as hell,” Trump remarked at the summit.
Trump’s latest comments came while he was discussing his account of the recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
The US President reiterated his claim that he had played a role in preventing a wider conflict, a position that India has previously not endorsed.
Recalling a conversation with Modi, Trump said the Indian Prime Minister appeared determined to continue military action.
“He (PM Modi) said, ‘No, we will fight’. I said, ‘Whoa, this is the same man I know?’” Trump recounted.
