WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump has mocked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while recounting a past meeting, as trade tensions escalate between Washington and New Delhi over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
Speaking at a retreat for Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Trump claimed that Modi had sought permission to meet him, using the anecdote to underline Washington’s leverage in trade and defence dealings with India.
“Prime Minister Modi came to see me — ‘Sir, may I see you please?’” Trump said, while discussing U.S. defence exports and trade negotiations.
The U.S. president noted that India has been waiting for nearly five years to receive U.S.-made Apache attack helicopters and has placed orders for 68 aircraft. He linked the defence deal to broader trade pressure, suggesting that Washington holds significant leverage over New Delhi.
Trump acknowledged that Modi was unhappy with the tariffs imposed by the United States due to India’s ongoing imports of Russian oil.
“I have a very good relationship with him, but he’s not that happy with me because they’re paying a lot of tariffs now,” Trump said.
The Trump administration has imposed a total of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty directly tied to India’s purchase of Russian oil. Trump warned that the tariffs could be increased further if India fails to significantly curb such imports.
“They do trade, and we can raise tariffs on them very quickly,” Trump said, reinforcing his administration’s hardline stance.
Despite the sharp increase in duties, trade data shows that India’s exports to the United States rose significantly in November, highlighting the complexity of the economic relationship between the two countries.
Trump’s remarks have drawn political reaction in India, with opposition parties mocking the U.S. president’s comments on social media, further underscoring the diplomatic strain between the two strategic partners.