Trump Calls Modi ‘Nice Chief,’ Praises India On Commerce
US President Donald Trump meets with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (AP Photograph) US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an interview aired Friday, calling him an ideal chief and pointing to India’s measurement and its commerce relationship with the US.
Trump made the remarks throughout an interview with The Axios Present, when requested to call the world leaders he admires most. Trump named Chinese language President Xi Jinping and Modi as the 2 leaders he holds within the highest regard.
“I believe Modi is superb. They’ve had some excellent numbers introduced. He stays out of wars, which is sensible. He’s 1.5 billion folks. He’s truly the largest. India’s truly the largest,” Trump mentioned.
Trump on India’s Modi:
Modi is superb. He stays out of wars, which is sensible. He is 1.5 billion folks. India’s truly the largest. Modi’s an ideal chief, and we do lots of enterprise with them, however now we do truthful enterprise.
They used to essentially rip us off. I do not blame them… pic.twitter.com/icnnaCf4Xj
— Conflict Report (@clashreport) June 19, 2026
He went on to speak about commerce between the 2 international locations. “Modi’s an ideal chief, and we do lots of enterprise with them, however now we do truthful enterprise. They used to essentially rip us off. I don’t blame them for that. We had silly politicians, however, that allowed that to occur. However now we do lots of enterprise. They’re not that joyful about it as a result of they used to do so much higher. However Modi’s nice,” he mentioned.
Trump used comparable language for Xi Jinping. He referred to as each leaders “classics,” including that if a movie have been made about both man, no actor in Hollywood might play the half, and praised Xi’s look specifically.
A sample of blended alerts on commerce
Trump’s remarks add to a 12 months of statements through which he has referred to as Modi a detailed pal whereas additionally describing India’s previous commerce practices in unflattering phrases. On the APEC summit in South Korea in 2025, Trump mentioned he had “nice respect and love” for Modi and referred to as their relationship robust, whereas saying plans for a commerce deal between the 2 international locations.
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The 2 international locations’ commerce relationship has additionally been a degree of friction. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit score for ending the temporary navy battle between India and Pakistan in Could 2025, a declare Modi’s authorities has persistently rejected.
International Secretary Vikram Misri mentioned Modi instructed Trump instantly that India doesn’t and can by no means settle for third-party mediation, and that there was full political consensus in India on the matter.
Why it issues
Trump’s feedback come as Washington and New Delhi proceed negotiating a bilateral commerce settlement. His description of India as having beforehand taken benefit of the US echoes language he has used earlier than to justify tariff measures in opposition to Indian exports.
The remarks, paired with reward for PM Modi personally, replicate the balancing act that has outlined the connection by way of 2025 and into 2026 heat private rhetoric alongside more durable commerce positioning.
With inputs from Axio
