Trump calls PM Modi 'one of the toughest negotiators' at G7 France
Synopsis
At the G7 in Evian, Trump called Modi ‘one of the world’s toughest negotiators’ and an ‘angel who’s actually a killer’ — and said a bilateral trade deal is ‘very close’. The remarks signal a significant warming in India-US ties at a moment when global trade alignments are being redrawn.
Key Takeaways
US President Donald Trump called PM Narendra Modi ‘one of the world’s toughest negotiators’ at the G7 summit in Evian, France on 17 June .
Trump signalled that an India-US bilateral trade agreement is ‘very close’ to completion.
Trump said India would play a ‘big role’ in global and West Asian affairs under Modi’s leadership.
PM Modi said bilateral ties have gained ‘new speed and energy’ since their last meeting in Washington .
The two leaders also cooperate through the Quad grouping alongside Australia and Japan .
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, 17 June heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G7 summit in Evian, France, calling him “one of the world’s toughest negotiators” and asserting that India would continue to shape global affairs under his leadership. The remarks came after a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the summit — one of the most high-profile leader interactions at this year’s G7.
What Trump Said
Speaking alongside PM Modi after their meeting, Trump was effusive in his assessment of the Indian Prime Minister’s negotiating style. “He’s a very tough negotiator. He’s one of the toughest, actually,” Trump said. He added a characteristically colourful observation: “You look at this man. He’s the most beautiful-looking man. He looks so nice. He’s like an angel. But actually, he’s a killer. He’s as tough as they come.”
Trump said Modi’s demeanour often led counterparts to underestimate him. “He gets you by surprise,” he said. “People say he’s such a nice man. I said he’s very tough.”
Trade Deal: 'We're Very Close'
On the question of ongoing India-US trade negotiations, Trump signalled that a bilateral trade agreement was nearing completion. “We’re very close,” he said, without providing a timeline or specific details. The two countries have been engaged in extended negotiations over tariffs, market access, and digital trade — talks that have at times been complicated by disagreements over US tariff policy.
Notably, this is among the most optimistic public signals either side has offered on the trade front in recent months, and comes amid broader global uncertainty over US trade posture.
India's Role in West Asia and Global Affairs
Asked whether India would play a larger role in West Asia following recent diplomatic shifts in the region, Trump was unequivocal. “I think India plays a big role in everything,” he said. “As long as he’s the leader, India’s going to play a big role.”
Trump also sought to reassure those in India who had expressed concern over certain recent US policy decisions. “As long as I’m President, they have a great friend in the White House,” he said.
Modi's Response and Bilateral Context
PM Modi noted that bilateral ties had accelerated since the two leaders met in Washington the previous year. “We had an extremely productive meeting in Washington last year, and since then we have given new speed and new energy to our relations,” he said.
India and the United States have deepened cooperation across defence, trade, technology, energy, and strategic affairs in recent years. The two nations also coordinate closely through the Quad grouping alongside Australia and Japan.
The Personal Equation
Trump recalled the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston and his visit to India during his first term, describing both as landmark moments in the bilateral relationship. “We had a great time in India,” he said, referencing the massive stadium turnout. The two leaders have cultivated one of the most publicly visible personal relationships in contemporary diplomacy, marked by large-scale public events and frequent high-level summits.
Point of View
But the more consequential signal is his claim that a bilateral trade deal is ‘very close’ — a formulation that has appeared before without resolution. India and the US have been negotiating trade terms for years, with tariffs and digital commerce remaining sticking points. The personal chemistry between the two leaders is real and well-documented, but it has not always translated into structural agreements. The G7 setting amplifies the optics; the real test will be whether the trade language converts into a signed framework, or whether it remains, as before, perpetually imminent.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about PM Modi at the G7 summit?
Trump called Modi ‘one of the world’s toughest negotiators’ and said India would continue to play a major global role under his leadership. He made the remarks after a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France, on 17 June.
Is an India-US trade deal close to being finalised?
Trump said the two sides are ‘very close’ on a bilateral trade agreement, though no timeline or specific details were provided. India and the US have been in extended negotiations covering tariffs, market access, and digital trade.
What did PM Modi say after the G7 bilateral meeting?
PM Modi said the two countries had given ‘new speed and new energy’ to their relations since their productive meeting in Washington the previous year. He highlighted the deepening of ties across defence, trade, technology, and energy.
What is the Quad, and how does it relate to India-US ties?
The Quad is a strategic grouping comprising India, the United States, Australia, and Japan, focused on security, technology, and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. It is one of several multilateral frameworks through which India and the US coordinate their foreign policy.
What were the 'Howdy Modi' and India visit references Trump made?
Trump recalled the ‘Howdy Modi’ event held in Houston during his first term and his visit to India, both of which drew massive crowds and were seen as landmark moments in the India-US personal diplomacy. He cited them as evidence of the strong public and personal bond between the two leaders.
