During a recent podcast appearance, Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the White House, praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to him as a “total killer” while expressing admiration for their relationship. Trump described Modi as a great friend, noting that he appears friendly and fatherly but is a strong and formidable leader.
The two leaders share a warm rapport, with Trump enjoying considerable support among right-wing groups in India who appreciate his alignment with their views, particularly regarding their stance toward Muslims. Their friendship was showcased during a 2019 rally in Houston, Texas, called “Howdy, Modi!” which attracted around 50,000 attendees and highlighted their close personal alliance. Modi reciprocated this affection by hosting Trump at a massive rally in his home state of Gujarat, which was attended by an estimated 100,000 supporters.
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Trump has consistently defended Modi amidst controversies, including the revocation of autonomy for Kashmir. He mentioned on the podcast that he had offered assistance to Modi during times of threat, suggesting he could help resolve issues with adversarial nations, hinting at tensions between India and Pakistan without explicitly naming them.
Their mutual admiration and support reflect a significant geopolitical dynamic, especially given their similar political ideologies and approaches to leadership, which have sparked accusations of discrimination against Muslims in their respective countries.
