Modi ‘tough as hell’, says Trump; again claims credit for ending India-Pakistan conflict
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “tough as hell” and a “killer”, while once again claiming that he personally helped stop the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan.

Speaking at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump praised Modi as “the nicest looking guy” and said he shared a strong personal rapport with the Indian leader. “Prime Minister Modi is the nicest looking guy… he’s a killer… he’s tough as hell,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience.

During his remarks, Trump reiterated his earlier claim that he used trade leverage to halt military hostilities between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, which took place from May 7 to May 10 this year.

“I called Prime Minister Modi and said, we can’t make a trade deal if you’re starting a war with Pakistan. Then I called Pakistan and said the same thing. After two days, both called back and stopped fighting. Isn’t that amazing?” Trump said.

A few hours earlier, in Tokyo, Trump made a similar statement, asserting that he managed to stop the conflict “within 24 hours”. He also claimed that “seven brand new planes” were shot down during the brief exchange.

Trump said he had also spoken to Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, whom he described as “a great fighter” and “a great guy”.

“They both said war has nothing to do with trade. I told them it has everything to do with trade — two nuclear powers fighting could affect the whole world,” he added.

Since May 10, when Trump announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after “a long night of talks” mediated by Washington, he has frequently repeated that he “helped settle” the crisis.

However, India has maintained that the ceasefire understanding was reached directly between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two nations, without any third-party mediation.

The brief conflict erupted after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.

India and Pakistan reached a cessation of hostilities on May 10, ending four days of cross-border drone and missile strikes.

Trump’s latest comments, coming during his ongoing three-nation Asia tour, have once again stirred debate over Washington’s role in South Asian security affairs.