US President Donald Trump on Tuesday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “nicest looking man” and “a killer,” while speaking ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.
Trump’s remarks, made during a media interaction in South Korea, drew attention for their mix of admiration and surprise, as he also hinted that a major India-US trade deal would be finalised soon.
“Prime Minister Modi is the nicest looking guy. He looks like he would like to have your father. He is a killer… Whoa, is this the same man that I know?” Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Trump added, “I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Modi. We have a great relationship.”
India-US Trade Deal in Focus
Trump’s comments come amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States, following steep import tariffs imposed by Washington earlier this year. The Trump administration’s decision to levy duties of up to 50% on Indian goods in August was widely seen as a move to pressure New Delhi over its continued oil imports from Russia.
India has firmly defended its energy policy, emphasizing that its purchases are driven by market dynamics and national interests, not external influence. Officials in New Delhi reiterated that securing affordable energy for its citizens is a strategic necessity and a sovereign decision.
Trump’s Shifting Tone on India
The US President’s latest praise adds to a series of contrasting statements about India and PM Modi in recent weeks.
Earlier this week, Trump called Modi a “great person” and “a great friend” during a briefing at the White House, highlighting their close diplomatic relationship. “We had a great conversation… he’s a great person and a great friend,” Trump told reporters, noting that their discussions centered largely on trade.
However, Trump’s tone shifted days earlier aboard Air Force One, where he claimed Modi had assured him that India would “not be doing the Russian oil thing.” After New Delhi denied any such exchange, Trump said, “If they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don’t want to do that.”
Geopolitical Context
Trump’s Asia tour comes at a time of heightened focus on Indo-Pacific cooperation, energy security, and trade realignment among major economies. The APEC summit is expected to feature discussions on supply chain resilience, energy diversification, and regional stability—all key issues where India and the US share mutual interests.
Trump is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other Asia-Pacific leaders during the summit.
