There's Great Calmness In Modi, Yet He's Not Calm Person: Trump Praises Indian PM

In a major endorsement of India's political stability and economic growth, US President Donald Trump has lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a "great leader" and a "very tough cookie" who brought solid leadership to India after decades of political instability.

Speaking in an interview with Axios, the US President reflected on India's political history before the Modi era and drew direct comparisons with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

From Political Instability to 'Solid' Leadership
Trump remarked that he had observed India's leadership transitions for decades, pointing out the country's past struggle with short-lived governments before PM Modi took charge.

"All my life I've watched India. They just kept changing, changing, changing. Somebody would be there for six months and then a year and then all of a sudden, Prime Minister Modi ends up there. He has been there for more than 12 years, very solid," Trump stated.

When asked by the interviewer to identify the two greatest leaders in the world today-with the interviewer suggesting Chinese President Xi Jinping as one-Trump instantly named PM Modi as the other.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Prime Minister Narendra Modi:

“Modi is highly respected. He’s a very tough leader, the real Modi is one tough cookie.” pic.twitter.com/uf7PAl8GDH

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) June 19, 2026

"Modi is very good... Modi stays out of wars, which is smart. It's 1.5 billion people, India's actually the biggest," Trump said, highlighting India's massive population and its strategic geopolitical stance. He added that leadership is ultimately about "power, leverage, and the ability to execute power," describing PM Modi as a "very tough guy" who commands deep respect in a distinct way.

A Shift to 'Fair Trade' with India
Trump did not mince words regarding past India-US trade dynamics, noting that the economic relationship has undergone a massive correction.

While acknowledging that Washington and New Delhi do a substantial amount of business, Trump remarked that the trade terms are now "fair." He claimed that previous US administrations allowed India to get the better of trade deals, adding, "Now we do a lot of business, they're [India] not that happy about it because they used to do a lot better."

G7 Sidelines: India-US Near Mega Trade Deal to Slash Tariffs
The US President's comments come right after a crucial bilateral meeting between PM Modi and Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. The meeting aimed to reset bilateral ties that had faced strain over the past year.

The two nations are now on the verge of finalizing a major trade agreement born out of the interim trade framework established in February 2026. This deal marks a massive milestone toward a comprehensive Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) that has been under negotiation since 2025.