US President Donald Trump once again praised PM Narendra Modi, calling him “a killer, tough as hell,” while claiming he personally helped stop a war between India and Pakistan. Speaking at a luncheon for APEC CEOs in South Korea, Trump said he “loves” Modi and considers him a strong and admirable leader.
“Prime Minister Modi, he’s a great-looking guy. But he’s a killer — tough as hell. He said, ‘No, we will fight.’ I said, ‘Whoa, this is the same man I know?’” Trump recounted.
President Trump repeated his controversial claim that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan earlier this year, insisting that his intervention prevented a major conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Trump’s Claim on ‘Ceasefire Mediation’
Trump told the audience that India and Pakistan were “really going at it” when he stepped in. “If you look at India and Pakistan — I was doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for PM Modi. They were really going at it,” he said.
He claimed he used trade pressure to stop the hostilities. “I told Prime Minister Modi, ‘We can’t make a deal with you right now because you’re fighting with Pakistan.’ Then I called the Pakistani Prime Minister and told him we can’t make a deal with you because you are fighting India,” Trump said.
According to Trump, both countries agreed to stop fighting within 48 hours after he threatened to impose “250% tariffs.” He even claimed that “seven planes had been shot down” and that his actions “saved millions and millions of lives.”
India Rejects Trump’s Version of Events
This is not the first time Trump has made the claim. He has repeated it several times since May, when he announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after a “long night” of talks mediated by Washington.
However, India has strongly denied any US role in the matter. Indian officials have clarified that the ceasefire was reached directly between the two countries. The decision came after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) requested talks with his Indian counterpart.
The final understanding was reached on May 10, after four days of cross-border firing following India’s Operation Sindoor. Operation Sindoor was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Trump’s Asia Tour and Broader Message
Trump made the comments during his ongoing Asia tour. He arrived in South Korea before he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC Summit in Gyeongju. His praise for Modi and his claims of stopping a war appear to be part of his larger message on global leadership and deal-making.
By portraying himself as a decisive figure in international diplomacy, Trump continues to position himself as a strong negotiator on the world stage—especially as he eyes political momentum back home.
Trump Hints at Renewed Strategic Focus
Trump’s renewed praise for Modi amid his Asia tour signals his intent to rebuild strategic ties with India, a country he often calls “America’s best friend in Asia.” His remarks come at a time when global attention is on India’s rising influence and its role in balancing regional tensions.
