Trump praises 'killer' Modi, shares update on trade deal with India

“I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Modi. We have a great relationship," Trump said.

Updated on: Oct 29, 2025, 14:43:26 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that Washington is working on a new trade deal with India. His remarks come amid ongoing trade discussions between the two countries against the backdrop of steep American tariffs on Indian goods.

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC (AFP File)

Speaking during an address in South Korea ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, Trump said, “I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Modi. We have a great relationship.”

In August, Trump's administration had imposed duties of up to 50% on Indian imports as additional penalties over India’s ongoing oil trade with Russia.

India has maintained that its energy purchases are driven by market forces and national security requirements rather than geopolitical alignment, consistently defending its right to secure affordable energy for its population.

Trump's praise for PM Modi

Trump’s positive tone marks a shift from his earlier warnings linking trade concessions to India’s oil imports. “I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Modi,” he said in Seoul. “We have a great relationship.”

Also read: Trump says PM makes him go ‘woah is this the same man…'

He also recalled a dramatic exchange with both Indian and Pakistani leaders, claiming that his intervention prevented a potential war.

“These are two nuclear nations… and they were really going at it,” Trump said. “I called Prime Minister Modi and said, ‘we can’t make a trade deal with you… you’re starting a war with Pakistan.’ Then I called Pakistan and said the same thing. They both said, ‘no, you should let us fight.’ But after two days, they called back and said, ‘we understand,’ and they stopped fighting.”

Trump then added with a grin, “Prime Minister Modi is the nicest-looking guy. He’s tough as hell. But after two days, they stopped. Isn’t that amazing?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Follow India news real-time updates and the latest news covered on Hindustan Times, featuring today's critical updates on Sonam Wangchuk LIVE and more across India.