US President Donald Trump has said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unhappy with him over steep US tariffs, even as he claimed their personal relationship remains strong.

Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat on Tuesday, Trump said Modi was “not that happy with me” due to tariffs imposed by Washington on India for its purchases of Russian oil.

He said India is currently paying high tariffs, adding that New Delhi has now “reduced it very substantially” when it comes to buying oil from Russia. He stressed that the reduction followed US pressure linked directly to trade measures.

Russian oil purchases

Trump has imposed a total of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% levy specifically tied to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. The measures are part of a broader US pressure campaign aimed at discouraging countries from maintaining energy trade with Moscow amid the Ukraine war.

He reiterated that higher tariffs remain an option if India does not “help on the Russian oil issue,” a warning he also issued earlier this week while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

‘I have a very good relationship with him'

Despite the trade dispute, Trump repeatedly emphasized his personal rapport with Modi. “I have a very good relationship with him,” Trump said, while acknowledging that the tariff issue has caused strain.

Trump added that Modi was aware of his dissatisfaction, saying it was “important to make me happy,” and suggested that India was trying to balance trade ties while managing US concerns.

Trump recounts Modi meeting

During his remarks, Trump claimed that the Indian PM personally approached him over India’s pending defence purchases. He recounted the interaction by saying, “Prime Minister Modi came to see me, ‘Sir, may I see you please’. Yes.”

The US president linked the meeting to long-delayed defence deliveries, particularly Apache attack helicopters ordered by India.

Trump said India had been waiting for Apache helicopters for five years. “India ordered Apache helicopters and didn’t get them for five years,” he told the gathering.

He added that India had ordered 68 Apache helicopters and indicated that the issue was now moving forward, saying, “We’re changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches,” though he did not provide further details.

Trump defends tariffs

Defending his tariff policy, Trump claimed the United States was benefiting financially from the measures. “We’re getting rich because of tariffs,” he said, urging his audience to understand their impact.

Trump further claimed that over $650 billion would be poured into the US economy or would arrive shortly as a result of tariff-driven trade flows.

On Sunday, Trump warned that Washington could raise tariffs further if India does not meet US demands on curbing Russian oil imports. “We could raise tariffs on India if they don’t help on the Russian oil issue,” he said.

At the same time, he struck a conciliatory tone, calling Modi “a very good man” and “a good guy,” while stressing that trade pressure could escalate quickly if needed.

India rejects claim of oil assurances

India has previously rejected Trump’s assertion that Modi assured him New Delhi would stop purchasing Russian oil. Indian officials clarified that no such conversation or commitment had taken place.

Despite the hefty tariffs imposed last year, India’s exports to the US reportedly rose sharply in November, highlighting the complexity of the trade relationship.

Trump has linked India’s oil purchases to broader geopolitical concerns, accusing New Delhi of strengthening Moscow by buying discounted Russian crude. He has directly tied tariff pressure to the Russia-Ukraine war.

At the same time, Trump has positioned himself as a potential mediator in the conflict, holding talks with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, though no concrete breakthrough has been announced.