G7 Summit: President Trump Calls PM Modi ‘One Of The World’s Toughest Negotiators’

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as ‘one of the world’s toughest negotiators’ and expressing confidence that India would continue to play a major role on the global stage under his leadership.

Speaking alongside PM Modi after their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, President Trump highlighted the strong personal rapport between the two leaders and the growing partnership between India and the US.

“We had, in particular, some very good conversations with Prime Minister Modi of India. A lot of things are happening between the United States and India,” President Trump said.

Responding to a question on ongoing trade negotiations, Trump indicated that a bilateral trade agreement was close to being finalised.

“We’re very close,” the US President said, before adding, “He’s (PM Modi) a very tough negotiator. He’s one of the toughest, actually.”

President Trump went on to offer a striking assessment of the Indian Prime Minister, saying, “You look at this man (PM Modi). I’ll give you a lesson. 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.”

President Trump added that PM Modi’s personality often leads people to underestimate his negotiating abilities.

The US President also praised PM Modi’s commitment to both India and the India-US relationship.

“He loves the Indian people, but he also loves the US,” President Trump said.

Recalling events such as the ‘Howdy Modi’ gathering in Houston and his visit to India during his first term, President Trump described the ties between the two nations as exceptionally close.

“As long as I’m President, they have a great friend in the White House,” he said. “India can do anything they want with us. We have the best relationship.”

PM Modi noted that bilateral ties had gained fresh momentum since their last meeting in Washington, stating, “We had an extremely productive meeting in Washington last year, and since then we have given new speed and new energy to our relations.”

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