Sir, Please Let Me See You : Trump’s Latest Remarks on PM Modi, Trade Tensions, and Apache Helicopter Delays

US President Donald Trump has once again made headlines with his remarks on India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the Indian leader personally contacted him to discuss pending defence procurements and trade-related issues. Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump said Modi addressed him respectfully as “SIR” while raising concerns about delayed military deliveries, particularly Apache attack helicopters.

“India ordered Apache helicopters and didn’t get them for five years,” Trump said during his address. Recalling a meeting with the Indian Prime Minister, he added, “Prime Minister Modi came to see me and said, ‘Could I please see you, sir?’ I said, ‘Sure.’ I have a very good relationship with him.” Trump’s comments were aimed at underlining what he described as a strong personal equation with Modi.

However, Trump also acknowledged that trade tensions have strained aspects of the relationship. He claimed that Prime Minister Modi was unhappy with the tariff regime imposed by the United States. “They’re paying a lot of tariffs today, so he’s not very pleased with me,” Trump said, linking the issue to India’s energy trade decisions.

Referring to India’s oil imports, Trump remarked, “Because they’re not doing the oil.” He went on to add that India has significantly cut down its purchases of Russian crude. “But they are, they’ve reduced it very substantially, as you know, from Russia,” he said, indicating that Washington is closely tracking New Delhi’s energy trade policies.

Trump also used the occasion to defend his tariff-driven economic approach, claiming it has brought massive financial gains to the United States. “We’re getting rich because of tariffs, by the way,” he said. “I have to report that we’re going to have over 650 billion dollars poured into our country, or coming in shortly, because of tariffs.”

Apache Helicopter Deal Back in Focus

Addressing defence cooperation between India and the US, Trump highlighted delays in India’s military procurement, particularly the Apache helicopter deal. He said India had been waiting for the helicopters for several years but suggested that the issue was now being addressed.

“We’re changing it,” Trump said, adding that India had ordered a large number of Apache helicopters. “India ordered 68 Apaches,” he claimed, though he did not provide further details on delivery timelines or revised contractual terms.

The Apache deal has long been seen as a symbol of deepening defence ties between New Delhi and Washington, and Trump’s remarks have brought renewed attention to delays that have been a point of concern for India.

Trump Hints at More Tariffs on India

Earlier this week, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump reiterated that imposing higher tariffs on India remains an option if Washington is dissatisfied with New Delhi’s stance on Russian oil imports.

“If they don’t help on the Russian oil issue, we could raise tariffs on India,” Trump said on Sunday, signalling continued economic pressure as part of the US strategy to discourage countries from trading energy with Moscow.

At the same time, Trump struck a conciliatory tone while referring to Prime Minister Modi. “PM Modi is a great individual. He’s a good man. He knew I wasn’t happy, and making me happy was important,” Trump said. He added that trade measures could be swiftly adjusted, stating, “They do a lot of trade, and we can raise duties on them very quickly.”

Currently, the United States has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain Indian imports, which includes a 25 per cent levy directly linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. These measures are part of Washington’s broader effort to apply economic pressure on countries maintaining energy ties with Moscow amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Trump’s latest comments underscore the complex mix of personal diplomacy, strategic defence cooperation, and hard-nosed trade negotiations that continue to shape India–US relations, even as both leaders publicly acknowledge mutual respect and longstanding engagement.