Highlights:
President Donald Trump showered praise on Indian prime minister Narendra Modi during an interview with Axios, describing him as a “great leader” and a “tough cookie” who has successfully led India for more than 12 years.
When asked to name the two leaders he admired most for their power, influence, and ability to get things done, Trump identified Chinese president Xi Jinping and Modi.
“I think Modi is very good. Yeah. They've had some very good numbers announced. He stays out of wars, which is smart. He's 1.5 billion people. He's actually the biggest. India's actually the biggest. And Modi's a great leader,” Trump said.
Trump highlighted India’s growing importance on the global stage and credited Modi with guiding the country through a period of economic growth and stability. He also pointed to Modi’s ability to maintain political authority in a country known for its vibrant and often competitive democracy.
Discussing trade relations between the United States and India, Trump said the two countries now enjoy a more balanced economic relationship. He claimed that previous US administrations had allowed India to gain advantages in trade deals, but said the situation has changed.
“And we do a lot of business with them, but now we do fair business. They used to really rip us off. I don't blame them for that. You know, we had stupid politicians that allowed that to happen. But now we do a lot of business,” Trump said.
He added, “They're not that happy about it because they used to do a lot better. So Modi's great.”
Trump also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing him as a leader with significant stature and confidence. Comparing both leaders to larger-than-life figures, Trump said, “If you were going to make a movie about either one of them, you wouldn't be able to find the man in Hollywood.”
Reflecting on his personal interactions with Modi, Trump emphasized the Indian leader’s strength and determination.
“Modi in a very different way. Just highly respected. I know the real Modi is a very tough cookie. I'll tell you, I got to know some that I didn't know very well,” Trump said.
Trump and Modi met on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit in France on Wednesday (17), a meeting viewed as an effort to improve ties between the two countries after a period of strain over the past year.
Trump also spoke about Modi’s political endurance, noting that India once saw frequent leadership changes before Modi emerged as a dominant figure.
“I watched India over the years and somebody would be there for six months and then a year. And then all of a sudden, Prime Minister Modi ended up, he's been there for more than 12 years, very solid,” Trump said.
He added, “And he does it through, like, there's a great calmness, and yet he's not a calm person. He's a very tough guy.”
Trump also mentioned Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif among the leaders he likes and respects.
