Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently lauded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as the “nicest-looking guy” and even “a father” figure, while simultaneously calling him “a killer” and “tough as hell.” These remarks, made on Wednesday (October 29, 2025), came with hints of an impending trade agreement between the two nations.
Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEOs Luncheon in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump controversially reiterated his assertion that he personally intervened to avert a “nuclear war” between India and Pakistan back in May. He claimed that seven planes were shot down during this period of heightened conflict.
Trump stated that his direct engagement with both Prime Minister Modi and Pakistan’s leadership was crucial in de-escalating tensions. He explicitly linked the resolution of the conflict to trade discussions, suggesting that the prospect of losing trade deals was a motivating factor for both sides to cease hostilities.
In his address, Trump recounted, “I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Modi. We have a great relationship. Likewise, the Prime Minister of Pakistan is a great guy. They have a field marshal. You know why he’s a field marshal? He’s a great fighter. And I know them all. I’m reading that seven planes were shot down. These are two nuclear nations. And they’re really going at it.”
He continued, “And I called Prime Minister Modi and said, ‘We can’t make a trade deal with you… You’re starting a war with Pakistan. We’re not going to do it.’ And then I called Pakistan and said, ‘We’re not going to do trade with you because you’re fighting with India.’ They said, ‘No, no, you should let us fight.’ They both said that. They’re strong people. Prime Minister Modi is the nicest-looking guy. He looks like you’d like to have your father, but he’s a killer. He’s tough as hell. ‘No, we will fight,’ (PM Modi said). I said, ‘…this is the same man that I know’.”
Trump also drew a comparison between his approach and that of former U.S. President Joe Biden, implying that Biden would not have been able to achieve similar diplomatic success. “After literally two days, they called up, and they said, ‘We understand,’ and they stopped fighting. How is that? Isn’t that amazing? Now, do you think Biden would have done that? I don’t think so,” he concluded.
These remarks by Trump refer to a period of heightened tensions in May following India’s “Operation Sindoor.” This operation involved a series of precise strikes on nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). These strikes were carried out in retaliation for a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.
Trump has consistently reiterated his claims of playing a pivotal role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. He frequently argues that leveraging trade and tariffs was his primary tool in preventing potential conflicts.
However, India has repeatedly denied Trump’s claims of mediation. New Delhi maintains that the ceasefire between the two countries was achieved bilaterally through discussions between their respective Director Generals of Military Operations, without any third-party involvement. India has consistently upheld its long-standing stance that all bilateral issues with Pakistan, including those concerning Jammu and Kashmir, must be resolved exclusively between the two nations.