U.S. President Donald Trump claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally approached him over India’s pending defense purchase of Apache helicopters and trade issues.
Speaking at the House GOP member’s retreat, Trump said, He added that, however, he added that Prime Minister’s Indian PM is unhappy over the excessive tariff imposed by USA on India.
Trump said, “India ordered Apache helicopters and didn’t get them for 5 years. Prime Minister Modi came to see me. Sir, may I see you please? Yes!” He added that he shared a strong rapport with the Indian leader, saying, “I have a very good relationship with him.”
“He’s not that happy with me because, you know, they’re paying a lot of tariffs now. Because they’re not doing the oil,” Trump said. He, however, claimed that
However, he claimed that the tariffs have made U.S. economy richer. Trump said, “We’re getting rich because of tariffs, by the way. Hope everyone understands.” He further claimed, “I have to report we’re gonna have over 650 billion dollars poured into our country or coming in shortly because of tariffs.”
Sir May I see you please? For whom you were trying to please Trump? pic.twitter.com/b3D3XORw5h
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) January 7, 2026
Trump claims that India had ordered 68 Apache helicopters from the U.S. In his address, he further stated that the issue is now moving forward. “We’re changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches,” Trump said.
Earlier this week, Trump had again threatened India regarding increasing further tariffs if it didn’t reduce the purchase of Russian oil. Though he said that India has significantly reduced oil purchase from Russia.
Read more: Venezuela to export $2 billion worth of oil to US in deal with Washington
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham on Sunday claimed that Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Vinay Mohan spoke to him last month asking for relief in tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
According to Graham, U.S. Indian Ambassador tried to convince the American administration of India’s introducing its purchase of Russian oil. Speaking to reporters on the Air Force One alongside Trump, Graham said, “I was at the Indian Ambassador’s house a month ago and all he wanted to talk about was how India is buying less Russian oil and asked me to tell the President to relieve the 25% tariff.”
This comes as the President has warned India. Meanwhile U.S. has recently attacked Venezuela and brought the issue of oil into the forefront of geopolitics once again. Venezuela has massive oil reserves which total over 303 billion barrels, making them the world’s largest proven reserves.
