'Sir, may I see you please?' PM Modi said to me, personally sought meeting, Trump says

US President Donald Trump has claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly engaged with him on unresolved defence and trade issues, including delays in India’s Apache helicopter deliveries, while acknowledging ongoing differences over tariffs and Russian oil imports.

Addressing the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump recounted an interaction with the Indian Prime Minister related to defence procurement. “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 said, adding, “I have a very good relationship with him.”

PM Modi came to meet me

Modi: Sir, may I see you please?

But now he isn’t happy with me because I stopped India buying Russian oil imposing heavy tariffs.

Trump insults India every day but Modi is so scared of him that he does not speak a single word in response.

INDIA needs… pic.twitter.com/yteOvc4lb7

— Mohit Chauhan (@mohitlaws) January 6, 2026

Trump suggested that tariff measures had created strain in bilateral trade ties. “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,” he said, while noting that India had curtailed energy purchases from Russia. “But they are, they've reduced it very substantially, as you know, from Russia.”

Defending the policy, Trump claimed tariffs were generating significant revenue for the United States. “We're getting rich because of tariffs, by the way. Hope everyone understands,” he said, adding, “I have to report we're gonna have over 650 billion dollars poured into our country or coming in shortly because of tariffs.”

On defence ties, Trump again pointed to long-standing delays in India’s military acquisitions and indicated movement on the Apache helicopter deal. “We're changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches,” he said, without offering further clarification.

Earlier, Trump reiterated that higher tariffs on India remain under consideration. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he said, “We could raise tariffs on India if they don't help on the Russian oil issue.”

Despite the warnings, Trump spoke positively of the Indian Prime Minister. “PM Modi's a very good man. He's a good guy. He knew I was not happy. It was important to make me happy. They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” he said.

The United States has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods, including a 25 per cent levy linked to India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The tariff regime is part of a broader US effort to pressure countries to reduce energy trade with Moscow.