Trump Claims PM Modi “Not Happy” Amid 50% Tariff Hike on India
In a significant escalation of trade tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump stated on January 6, 2026, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “not that happy with me.” Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump linked the friction to heavy tariffs imposed by Washington in response to India’s ongoing, though declining, energy ties with Russia.
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1. The Oil & Tariff Conflict
The U.S. administration has implemented a dual-layer tariff strategy targeting Indian imports to pressure a total shift away from Russian energy.
50% Total Tariffs: Trump confirmed a massive 50% tariff on Indian goods.
The “Russian Oil” Penalty: This includes a specific 25% tariff levied explicitly because of India’s purchases of Russian oil.
The Shift: Trump acknowledged that India has “reduced [oil purchases] very substantially” but maintained that the high tariffs will remain as long as the trade persists.
“I have a very good relationship with him [PM Modi]. He’s not that happy with me… because they’re paying a lot of tariffs now.” — Donald Trump
Also Read | JEE Advanced 2026: IIT Roorkee has released the syllabus for JEE Advanced. Know when the exam will be held.
2. The Apache Helicopter Deal
Amidst the trade friction, Trump highlighted a major defense bottleneck that he intends to resolve personally.
The Backlog: India has reportedly been waiting five years for the delivery of Apache helicopters.
The Commitment: India has ordered 68 Apache helicopters in total.
The “Trump Fix”: Trump promised a “change” to expedited delivery, suggesting that despite trade disputes, defense cooperation remains a priority for the U.S. to counter regional influence.
Also Read | JEE Advanced 2026: IIT Roorkee has released the syllabus for JEE Advanced. Know when the exam will be held.
3. Diplomatic Maneuvers: “Operation Sindoor”
While Trump publicly pressured New Delhi, the Indian Embassy has reportedly taken a strategic back-channel approach.
Lobbying Efforts: The Embassy has hired a firm led by a Trump aide to facilitate smoother dialogues on trade and bilateral ties.
Mission: These talks are part of a broader diplomatic push termed “Operation Sindoor,” aimed at navigating the “America First” policy while protecting Indian exports.
4. Impact on Indian Markets
The confirmation of these tariffs has sent ripples through the NSE Nifty and BSE Sensex, particularly affecting:
Energy Stocks: Reliance and ONGC.
Pharma & IT: Sectors with high export exposure to the U.S.
Defense: Potential positive movement for HAL and local defense partners involved in the Apache ecosystem.
Also Read | JEE Advanced 2026: IIT Roorkee has released the syllabus for JEE Advanced. Know when the exam will be held.
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