Speaking at the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump described Modi in contrasting terms, calling him “the nicest looking guy” and “a great leader,” but added, “He looks like someone you’d like to have as your father… but he’s a killer, tough as hell.”
The Ceasefire Claim and Contradictory Timelines
President Trump used the platform to once again assert that his personal intervention halted military hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in May 2025.
He recounted that he used trade negotiations as leverage, telling both leaders, “We can’t make a trade deal with you, you’re starting a war with Pakistan.”
He claimed that after this warning, “within two days, both sides called back and said they understood and the fighting stopped,” describing the outcome as “amazing.” However, his account has been inconsistent.
In a separate appearance in Tokyo, he asserted the conflict ended “within 24 hours” after his calls. He also alleged that “seven brand-new planes were shot down” during the clashes, without specifying which nation suffered the losses.
India's Firm Rejection of US Mediation
India has consistently and firmly denied the core of Trump's narrative. Since the ceasefire was announced on May 10, 2025, Indian authorities have maintained that the understanding to end hostilities was reached through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the Indian and Pakistani militaries, without third-party mediation.
The conflict, triggered by the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians, saw India launch Operation Sindoor on May 7.
This military campaign targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with drone and missile strikes, leading to four days of escalated tensions before the DGMOs of both countries agreed to a ceasefire.
A Pattern of Praise and Political Bravado
Trump’s latest comments continue his pattern of blending personal diplomacy with bold public claims. During his speeches, he also praised Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling him “a great fighter” and “a great guy,” while expressing his "love and great respect" for Prime Minister Modi.
This episode has revived debate over the former president's diplomatic storytelling and the actual role Washington played in the de-escalation.
While Trump positions himself as a decisive global deal-maker, India’s steadfast position underscores that the path to peace was navigated bilaterally, directly between the two nations' military operations chiefs.
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