Trump Calls PM Modi ‘Fantastic Leader’ as Shehbaz Sharif Observes Calmly

US President Donald Trump lit up the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit in Egypt on October 13, 2025, with glowing praise for India and its leader, declaring, "India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top, and he's just done a fantastic job." Speaking to an assembly of over 20 world leaders co-hosting the event with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Trump turned the spotlight on Prime Minister Narendra Modi—without naming him directly—while eyeing brighter ties between New Delhi and Islamabad. The remarks, delivered amid the signing of the Gaza ceasefire deal, underscored Trump's vision for regional stability, as he added, "I think Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together." Standing just behind Trump was Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who chuckled in response as the US leader glanced his way with a grin, asking, "Right?"

The lighthearted exchange capped a day of diplomatic high notes, following Trump's morning address to Israel's Knesset and meetings with hostage families. Sharif, fresh off praising Trump's "untiring and relentless efforts" in securing the Gaza truce—ending a two-year Israel-Hamas war that claimed over 67,000 lives—seized the moment to double down on his admiration. "Today is one of the greatest days in contemporary history, because peace has been achieved," Sharif declared, crediting Trump's team for the breakthrough. In a bold move, Sharif announced Pakistan's renewed nomination of Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, calling him "the most genuine and wonderful candidate." This marks the second such endorsement from Islamabad this year, with Sharif elaborating that Trump has saved millions of lives in both South Asia and the Middle East.

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The Gaza-focused summit, dubbed the "Trump Declaration for Enduring Peace and Prosperity," saw leaders like Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, France's Emmanuel Macron, UK's Keir Starmer, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ink symbolic commitments to demilitarization, reconstruction, and UN-monitored zones. Absent was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing holiday constraints, though Trump had lavished praise on him earlier in Jerusalem.

Sharif also spotlighted Pakistan Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir—whom Trump dubbed his "favourite field marshal"—for Gaza mediation efforts, alongside nods to regional allies like Jordan's King and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. India's representation through Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh reaffirmed support for the Gaza plan and a two-state solution, signaling enhanced US-India alignment.

Trump, brushing off past Nobel snubs, quipped post-signing, "I didn't do this for the Nobel," but his growing list of "wins"—from Abraham Accords expansions to South Asian de-escalation—fuels speculation of a 2026 bid. As aid convoys roll into Gaza and economic corridors take shape, Trump's Egypt stagecraft blends personal flair with geopolitical chess, positioning the US as the ultimate dealmaker.

For India-Pakistan watchers, his optimistic forecast of neighbors "living very nicely together" offers a rare thaw, even if grounded more in rhetoric than reality. The summit highlighted expanded roles for nations like India in global peace efforts, with pledges for joint anti-terror initiatives and trade boosts potentially easing lingering Indo-Pak tensions, reigniting debates on Trump's peacemaking legacy amid cheers from allies and skeptics alike.

Also Read: Donald Trump Signs Landmark Gaza Peace Pact in Egypt Ceremony