US President Donald Trump has once again showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a strong and respected leader and saying India will continue to play a major role in global affairs as long as Modi remains in charge. The repeated compliments come as the Trump administration continues its efforts to maintain close ties with New Delhi amid discussions on trade and international issues.
“I think India plays a big role in everything as long as he’s (PM Modi) the leader,” Trump said when asked whether India would have a role in developments in West Asia.
“I think India plays a big role in everything as long as he’s the leader” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/SFavBuNP37
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 20, 2026
Trump also dismissed suggestions of any problems in India-US relations. “As long as I’m President, they have a great friend in the White House. I don’t know where there might have been trouble. I don’t think so,” he said.
The US President said Modi enjoys wide respect in America. “I can tell you everyone here, they love India. They have tremendous respect for this man,” Trump remarked.
Calls Modi a tough and stable leader
In a recent interview, Trump described Modi as one of the world’s leading political figures and praised his long tenure in office. “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 said.
Trump praises India's Modi:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 19, 2026
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.… pic.twitter.com/p8HIfQ9aga
According to Trump, Modi combines calmness with firmness. “He does it through, like, there’s a great calmness, and yet he’s not a calm person. He’s a very tough guy. I know him very well,” he added.
When asked to name two of the greatest leaders in the world, Trump mentioned Modi alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping. “Modi is very good. India has had some very good numbers announced. Modi stays out of wars, which is smart,” he said.
“Beautiful-looking man” like an angel
During a meeting with Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, Trump also made unusual remarks about the Indian Prime Minister’s appearance.
“Have a look at this man. I’ll give you a lesson. He’s the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice, like an angel. But actually, he’s tough… he is a killer,” Trump said while speaking to reporters.
He added that Modi’s personality often surprises people. “People say he’s such a nice man. I said he’s very tough. He’s a tough trader, and he loves the Indian people, but he also loves the USA.”
Trade, security and India-US ties
Trump said he had a “very good” conversation with Modi and that both countries were working on trade agreements. He described the Prime Minister as a “tough negotiator” and said he plans to visit India in the future.
The two leaders also discussed the safety of Indian seafarers affected by ongoing conflicts in West Asia. Modi stressed that their security was of “utmost importance” to India. Responding to the concern, Trump said, “I heard about that, it’s a rough profession, and we work together on it.”
Trump further said that India and the United States now conduct “fair business” and described Modi as “a great leader” who commands respect both at home and abroad.
