France: US President Donald Trump heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of their bilateral meeting at the G7 Summit in France, describing the Indian leader as “calm”, “cool” and a “total killer” in a remark that quickly grabbed global attention.
The comments came moments before the two leaders held their first formal bilateral talks in over a year, underscoring the personal chemistry that has long defined the Modi-Trump relationship despite occasional differences between Washington and New Delhi.
Addressing a gathering of world leaders, Trump contrasted Modi’s composed demeanor with his own style.
“Unlike PM Modi, who’s calm, cool and a total killer, I am not. Just look at him,” Trump said, drawing smiles from those present.
Trump just gave one of the most unusual descriptions of PM Modi yet. 🇮🇳🇺🇸
“He looks like an angel… but he’s a killer. He’s as tough as they come.”
Coming from a leader known for his own hard-nosed negotiating style, the remark says a lot about how PM Modi is perceived on the… pic.twitter.com/IQjAvNWAOJ
— Military Observer (@TheMilObserverr) June 17, 2026
The praise marked a noticeable shift from the previous day’s interaction, when the two leaders exchanged a formal handshake without the trademark bear hugs that had become a hallmark of their earlier meetings. On Wednesday, however, Trump appeared keen to publicly highlight Modi’s leadership and negotiating skills.
The US President has repeatedly used the phrase “total killer” to describe Modi’s political instincts and toughness. During the 2024 US presidential campaign, Trump referred to Modi as “a friend” and “the nicest human being,” while also calling him “a total killer” for his effectiveness as a leader.
He echoed similar sentiments at last year’s APEC summit, praising Modi’s strong leadership and resilience on the global stage.
Trump’s latest remarks came as he revisited his account of the recent India-Pakistan tensions, once again claiming that he had helped prevent a broader conflict — a position that India has not publicly endorsed.
Recalling a conversation with the Indian Prime Minister during the crisis, Trump said Modi appeared determined to press ahead with military action.
“He said, ‘No, we will fight.’ I said, ‘Whoa, this is the same man I know?’” Trump recounted.
The comments added another headline-grabbing moment to the G7 Summit, where discussions on trade, security and geopolitical challenges have dominated the agenda. With India and the United States seeking deeper cooperation across defence, technology and economic sectors, the Modi-Trump meeting remained one of the summit’s most closely watched engagements.
