US President Donald Trump revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "not that happy with me" due to tariffs imposed on India for its Russian oil purchases. Speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, Trump disclosed details of his recent interactions with the Indian Prime Minister while addressing the impact of his administration's tariff policies.

Modi-Trump Diplomatic Exchange Over Tariffs

Trump described a recent meeting where Modi approached him directly about the tariff situation. "Prime Minister Modi came to see me, 'Sir, may I see you please'. Yes," Trump recounted during his remarks at the retreat.

Despite maintaining what Trump characterized as "a very good relationship," the US President acknowledged the strain caused by his tariff policies on bilateral relations. "He's not that happy with me because you know they're paying a lot of tariffs now because they're not doing the oil, but they are, they've now reduced it very substantially, as you know, from Russia," Trump explained.

Apache Helicopter Deal Progress

Addressing India's defense procurement needs, Trump revealed that India has been waiting for Apache helicopters for an extended period. "India told him it has been waiting for five years for the Apache helicopters," Trump stated, indicating his administration's commitment to expediting the delivery process.

"We're changing it. We're changing it. India ordered 68 Apaches," he emphasized, suggesting efforts to resolve the long-pending defense cooperation issue.

Impact on Russian Oil Trade

Trump's comments highlight the effectiveness of the tariff strategy in reducing India's Russian oil imports. The combination of general tariffs on India and specific levies on Russian oil purchases appears to have achieved the intended policy objective of substantially reducing these trade flows.

The diplomatic exchange between the two leaders underscores the complex balance between economic pressure and maintaining strategic partnerships, particularly in defense cooperation where India represents a significant market for US military equipment.

Trump released comprehensive welfare data on his Truth Social platform, presenting information on immigrant households from approximately 120 countries and territories receiving government assistance in the United States. The chart detailed the percentage of immigrant households from each country receiving some form of government assistance, though it did not specify the exact type or duration of assistance included in the data.

Notable Exclusions and Inclusions

The chart notably excluded India despite including other South Asian nations with significant welfare usage rates. Bangladesh led South Asian countries with 54.8% of immigrant households receiving assistance, followed by Pakistan at 40.2% and Nepal at 34.8%. The data also included China at 32.9%, Israel/Palestine at 25.9%, Ukraine at 42.7%, and Asia (not elsewhere classified/not specified) at 38.8%.

Top Countries by Welfare Usage

The data revealed the countries with the highest percentage of immigrant households receiving welfare assistance:

India's Absence from the Chart

India's exclusion from the chart appears to stem from a cutoff threshold, with the data identifying nations where immigrant aid consumption exceeded approximately 25%. Public research conducted over many years has consistently shown that Indian immigrants in the United States earn among the highest incomes of any ethnic group. They maintain high workforce participation rates and demonstrate minimal reliance on public assistance programs.

Indian Immigrant Demographics and Economic Impact

According to US Census Bureau estimates, approximately 5.2 million people in the United States identified as Indian in 2023. The Pew Research Centre reported in 2025 that Indian Americans represent the second-largest Asian origin population living in the US, accounting for approximately 21% of the country's Asian population.

Indian immigrants play a significant role in the US economy as substantial contributors to income tax revenues. They have been instrumental in founding or co-founding a large share of startups in Silicon Valley, demonstrating their entrepreneurial impact on the American business landscape.

Economic Benefits Analysis

A recent study published by the Manhattan Institute identified Indian immigrants as the most economically beneficial immigrant group in the country. Daniel Di Martino, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, stated that "The average Indian immigrant and his or her descendants will save the federal government $1.7 million over 30 years." This research underscores the substantial positive fiscal impact of Indian immigration to the United States.