US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks about India and defence procurement have stirred unease in New Delhi, as fresh claims about Apache helicopter delays clash sharply with verifiable facts. The comments come at a sensitive moment, with Washington and New Delhi negotiating a trade deal and US lawmakers pushing legislation that could directly target India over its purchases of Russian crude oil.
At a Republican retreat in Washington, Trump claimed that India had approached him over delayed deliveries of Apache attack helicopters and suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally sought his intervention.
“I had India coming to me. ‘Sir, I’ve been waiting five years … Prime Minister Modi came to see me. Sir, may I see you, please?’ and I said yes,” Trump said, according to US media reports. He added that he shares “a very good relationship with” Modi.
Trump went on to say, “We’re changing it. We’re changing it,” referring to the Apache order, without providing any details on what was allegedly altered.
Earlier this week, Trump also warned of punitive trade action. “We could raise tariffs on India if they don’t help on the Russian oil issue,” he said. Praising Modi in the same breath, Trump remarked, “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.”
Trump also defended his tariff policy more broadly. “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 poured into our country or coming in shortly because of tariffs.”
What the facts show
A review of India’s Apache acquisitions undercuts Trump’s narrative.
India procured the Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian in two separate deals. The first agreement was signed in September 2015, toward the end of Barack Obama’s second term. Under that deal, India purchased 22 Apaches for the Indian Air Force at a cost of $2.2 billion. All helicopters were delivered on schedule, with the final units arriving by 2020 during Trump’s first presidency.
The second deal was inked in February 2020 during Trump’s visit to India and involved six Apaches for the Indian Army Aviation Corps. Valued between $600 million and $800 million, this order did experience delays. However, official timelines show that all 28 Apaches ordered by India were delivered by December 2025.
There is no public evidence to support Trump’s claim that Modi intervened personally or that India waited five years without delivery.
Trump also asserted that India had cut back sharply on Russian oil imports. “But now they [India] have reduced it very substantially, buying oil from Russia,” he said. He added, “He is not that happy with me because, you know, they’re paying a lot of tariffs now.”
Indian officials have not publicly responded to these remarks, but they note privately that Modi does not use the honorific “Sir” when addressing other world leaders.
Tariffs, sanctions, and a familiar pattern
The backdrop to Trump’s comments is a bill sponsored by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham that would allow sanctions of up to 500 percent on countries buying Russian crude oil. Trump has already imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods and later added another 25 percent levy tied specifically to India’s energy purchases from Russia.
Trump has also previously claimed credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan after Operation Sindoor in May. New Delhi has consistently rejected that assertion, maintaining that the ceasefire followed direct military-level communication initiated by Pakistan.
There is also a recognisable pattern in Trump’s storytelling. He has repeatedly claimed that officials, generals, and ordinary citizens approach him using the word “Sir” while praising his actions. In the past, he has said a US general told him, “Sir, we have no ammunition,” and claimed farmers were “crying” with gratitude during a bill signing. Several such incidents were later contradicted by recordings or official records.
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