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WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a characteristic blend of diplomacy and personal anecdote, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally appealed to him over long-standing delays in the delivery of Apache attack helicopters.
Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump painted a picture of a deferential meeting initiated by the Indian leader to resolve a five-year backlog in defense equipment.
‘Sir, May I See You?’
Recounting the interaction to Republican lawmakers, Trump imitated the Prime Minister’s purported request.
“India ordered 68 Apache helicopters. They’ve been waiting for five years,” Trump stated. “PM Modi came to me and said, ‘Sir, may I see you please?’ and I said yes.”
Trump used the anecdote to highlight his administration’s focus on streamlining foreign military sales and pressuring U.S. defense contractors to accelerate production timelines. “We’re changing it,” he added, referring to the delivery schedule. “India coming at me that they have been waiting for five years, and we are changing that.”
Fact-Checking the “68 Apaches”
While Trump’s story aimed to emphasize his strong rapport with Modi, industry analysts and defense records suggest the figures provided by the President may be significantly inflated.
The Discrepancy: Official records show India has ordered a total of 28 Apache AH-64E helicopters across two separate deals—not 68.
Delivery Status: The first batch of 22 helicopters for the Indian Air Force was completed in 2020. A follow-on order of six helicopters for the Indian Army did indeed face a 15-month delay, with the final units only arriving in December 2025.
The Meeting: While PM Modi visited the White House in February 2025 and likely raised defense procurement concerns, the “Sir” anecdote remains unconfirmed by Indian officials.
Tariffs and the “Russian Oil” Friction
Despite the friendly tone regarding the Apache deal, Trump acknowledged that the bilateral relationship is currently under strain due to his aggressive trade policies.
Trump has recently imposed 50% tariffs on several Indian goods, a move he says is directly linked to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
“I have a very good relationship with PM Modi, but he is not happy with me because India is paying high tariffs,” Trump admitted. “He knew I was not happy [about the oil], and it was important to make me happy.”
Strategic Outlook
The President’s remarks come as the U.S. seeks to balance its role as India’s premier defense partner with its goal of isolating Russia economically. By framing himself as a “problem solver” for India’s military delays, Trump appears to be using defense cooperation as leverage in the ongoing trade and energy disputes.
