'Smart Man, Great Friend': Trump Praises PM Modi, Says India-US Tariff Talks To Work Out 'Very Well'

Trump praised PM Modi for being a "very smart man" and lauded his leadership, describing him as a "great Prime Minister". He referred to him as a "very good friend".

US President Donald Trump praised PM Modi amid the ongoing tariff talks between India-US.

Source : PTI

US President Donald Trump on Friday heaped praises at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a "very smart man" and referring to him as a "good friend". He also expressed confidence that the ongoing India-US tariff talks would turn out well between the two nations as he reiterated his stance on push for reciprocal tariffs.

Trump made these remarks during an interaction with reporters at the swearing-in ceremony of the US attorney for New Jerset Alina Habba. He also lauded PM Modi's leadership, describing him as a "great Prime Minister".

"Prime Minister Modi was here just recently, and we've always been very good friends. India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world... They're very smart. He (PM Modi) is a very smart man and a great friend of mine," he said.

"We had very good talks. I think it's going to work out very well between India and our country. And I want to say you have a great prime minister," Trump added.

#WATCH | Washington, US: On India-US tariff talks, US President Donald Trump says, "Prime Minister Modi was here just recently, and we've always been very good friends. India is one of the highest tariffing nations in the world... They're very smart. He (PM Modi) is a very smart… pic.twitter.com/7O4adE7F9f

— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2025

Trump's statement came amid escalating trade tensions as US is preparing to impose reciprocal tariffs on various countries, including India. He has repeatedly hit out at India's trade policies, calling the country "tariff king" and claiming that its import levies are "very unfair and strong".

"I have a very good relationship with India, but the only problem I have with India is they're one of the highest-tariffing nations in the world. I believe they're probably going to lower those tariffs substantially, but on April 2, we will be charging them the same tariffs they charge us," Trump had told Breitbart News.