Trump Praises Modi as 'Great Leader' but Says India 'Used to Really Rip Us Off' on Trade
US President Donald Trump, in an interview aired on Friday, described Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'great leader' while also accusing India of previously taking unfair advantage of trade relations with the United States.
Speaking on The Axios Show, Trump was asked to name the world leaders he admires most. He named Chinese President Xi Jinping and Modi, calling them both 'classics'. Trump noted India's population size and Modi's avoidance of wars, saying, 'He stays out of wars, which is smart.'
On trade, Trump said, 'Modi's a great leader, and we do a lot of business with them, but now we do fair business. They used to really rip us off. I don't blame them for that. We had stupid politicians that allowed that to happen.' He added that India is 'not that happy' about the current trade terms because they used to benefit more.
Similar language was used regarding Xi Jinping, whom Trump praised for his appearance and leadership style.
Trump's remarks come amid ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the US and India. While Trump has frequently called Modi a close friend, he has also repeatedly criticised India's past trade practices. At the 2025 APEC summit in South Korea, Trump announced plans for a trade deal while expressing 'great respect and love' for Modi.
The trade relationship has been a point of friction. Trump has also claimed credit for ending the brief military conflict between India and Pakistan in May 2025—a claim the Indian government has consistently rejected. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that Modi told Trump directly that India does not accept third-party mediation and that there was complete political consensus on the matter.
Analysts note that Trump's comments reflect a balancing act: warm personal rhetoric toward Modi alongside tougher trade positioning. The negotiations continue as both sides seek to define the future of their economic partnership.
