Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump has publicly poked fun at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recalling a past meeting in which he claimed the Indian leader sought his permission for an audience.
The remarks were made during Trump’s address at a House Republican members’ retreat, against the backdrop of rising trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi, according to media reports.
“Prime Minister Modi came to see me and said, ‘Sir, may I see you please?’” Trump told the gathering while speaking about defense cooperation and trade negotiations with India.
During his remarks, Trump highlighted India’s defense procurement from the United States, noting that New Delhi has been waiting for nearly five years to receive US-made Apache attack helicopters. According to Trump, India placed an order for 68 helicopters, a point he raised while discussing defense demand and Washington’s leverage in trade talks.
The US president suggested that his relationship with Modi remains cordial, but admitted the Indian leader was displeased with recent US tariff measures. Trump said the frustration stemmed from tariffs imposed over India’s continued imports of Russian oil.
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“I have a very good relationship with him,” Trump said, adding that Modi was unhappy because India is now paying heavy tariffs. He claimed, however, that India has since significantly reduced its oil purchases from Russia.
Trump’s comments sparked reactions online, with India’s Congress party sharing caricatures on social media platform X, mocking the exchange described by the US president.
Washington has imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods, including a 25 percent levy directly linked to India’s purchase of Russian oil. Trump has also warned that tariffs could be raised further if New Delhi does not scale back those imports.
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“He knew I wasn’t happy, and it was important to make me happy,” Trump said, referring to Modi. When questioned about India’s energy trade with Moscow, Trump reiterated that the United States could increase tariffs swiftly if it chose to do so.
The US had doubled import duties on Indian products last year, citing India’s large-scale buying of Russian oil. Despite the higher tariffs, trade data shows that Indian exports to the United States rose sharply in November.
