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'Modi is calm, cool, a total killer. I'm not': Trump big praise for PM in France
In his working lunch statement, Trump reportedly referred to Modi as “calm, cool and totally killer”.
US President Donald Trump heaped praise at Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. In his working lunch statement, Trump reportedly referred to Modi as “calm, cool and totally killer”. Later, during their first bilateral meeting in 16 months, Trump doubled down on the praise.
“Unlike PM Modi who’s calm, cool and a total killer… I am not.... look at him..,” Trump said, according to officials who were present at the lunch. Follow live updates on the G7 meet here.
The two leaders then sat down for a formal meeting. Trump rained words of praise for Modi at the meeting, using phrases like “beautiful-looking man, so nice, like an angel”. Trump also called Modi a tough negotiator despite being a nice man.
Earlier, a clip showing PM Modi helping Trump up the stairs to pose for a group photo went viral.
Why the Trump-Modi meet matters
While Trump and Modi have been seen interacting on several occasions at the G7 summit, bilateral discussions are remaining. The meeting holds significance largely on two accounts - hopes for a trade agreement between the two sides, and India's concerns over the safety of its seafarers in the Gulf after a US strike on a vessel left three sailors dead.
Seated next to Trump a day earlier, PM Modi had raised the issue of ship attacks, calling for efforts to protect sailors.
“The safety of seafarers, who connect all countries through global maritime trade, is our responsibility. We must ensure that sea lanes remain safe, and seafarers can carry out their work without fear,” Modi said at the session, with Trump seated directly beside him. “India is fully prepared to work with all partners on these issues.”
Meanwhile, the potential India-US trade deal is significant because it could mark a major breakthrough in economic relations, coming just months after ties were strained by Trump's 50% tariffs on Indian imports.
The last time both leaders held talks was in February 2025, when PM Modi was on an official visit to Washington.
Months after that in May, Trump claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor, an assertion India has repeatedly denied. The France meeting would be the first since then.
Trump's earlier praises for Modi
Last week, Modi completed 12 years in office and became India's longest-serving elected prime minister. Trump joined several world leaders in congratulating Modi, calling him a “great one”. “He is a strong, healthy, and wise man, and will have many years of Greatness and Success ahead of him!," the President said.
Before that, White House spokesman Kush Desai said in May that Trump had congratulated Modi after the BJP's decisive win in Bengal. US presidents have traditionally extended their congratulations to Indian leaders after general election victories, not state election results.
