New Delhi has opted for restraint after U.S. President Donald Trump made a controversial remark suggesting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally sought a meeting with him. The comment has caused unease within political circles in India, but the government has decided — at least for now — not to issue a formal response.
In his latest statement, Mr. Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had approached him saying, “Sir, may I see you please,” a remark that was seen in Delhi as dismissive and unnecessary. Despite growing political calls for a strong rebuttal, India’s diplomatic establishment has advised caution, arguing that reacting publicly would serve little purpose.
This is not the first time Mr. Trump has made remarks critical of India. Earlier this week, he said Mr. Modi was “not very happy” with him following Washington’s decision to raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, citing India’s continued purchase of Russian oil. The latest 25 per cent penalty was imposed on top of existing duties, significantly escalating trade tensions.
Mr. Trump also claimed that India had been waiting for five years to receive Apache helicopters from the United States and said New Delhi had ordered 68 of them. Indian government sources quickly disputed this account, stating that India had only purchased 28 Apache helicopters — 22 for the Indian Air Force and six for the Indian Army — and that all of them had already been delivered.
According to official records, the first deal for 22 Apache helicopters was signed in September 2015 during the Obama administration, with deliveries completed during Mr. Trump’s first term as President. The second agreement for six helicopters was signed during Mr. Trump’s visit to India in February 2020. While deliveries under this contract were delayed, the helicopters were handed over by December 2025, not in early 2024 as suggested by Mr. Trump. In fact, the issue of delivery timelines was discussed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington in February 2025.
Despite the inaccuracies, senior officials believe that responding publicly would be counter-productive, especially at a time when India and the United States are still negotiating a broader trade agreement. “There is no need to react to every statement or provide a running commentary on what the U.S. President says,” a government source said, adding that India’s focus remains firmly on trade talks.
Mr. Trump has made similar remarks in the past. In August 2025, he claimed to have warned Mr. Modi that the U.S. would impose extremely high tariffs and abandon trade negotiations. He also asserted that he personally intervened to prevent an India-Pakistan conflict, a claim New Delhi has repeatedly rejected.
Although Indian officials have, on occasion, fact-checked Mr. Trump’s statements, they acknowledge that such corrections have not stopped him from continuing to make sweeping claims, including taking credit for easing tensions between India and Pakistan in May 2025.
Speaking in Luxembourg on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the broader issue without naming Mr. Trump directly. He noted that countries far removed from the region often comment on South Asian tensions without examining instability closer to home. “People sitting far away will say things — sometimes thoughtfully, sometimes carelessly, sometimes out of self-interest,” he said.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Mr. Jaishankar recalled how several countries offered unsolicited advice to India. “That is the nature of the world,” he said. “What people say is not always what they do. We accept it and move on.”
For now, Delhi appears determined to stay the course — prioritising diplomacy, trade negotiations, and long-term interests over sharp public exchanges.
No comments:
Post a Comment