The Ministry of Defence on Friday dismissed reports suggesting that India has paused its ongoing defence procurement discussions with the United States amid the recent tariff tensions triggered by Washington.
Calling the reports “false and fabricated,” a senior defence official clarified that all procurement processes with the US are moving forward as per established procedures.
“The news reports on India pausing the talks related to defence purchases with the US are false and fabricated. It is clarified that the various cases of procurement are being progressed as per the extant procedures,” the official said.
This clarification comes after several international media outlets, including Reuters, reported that India had suspended plans to buy American weapons and aircraft in response to former US President Donald Trump’s move to impose a 50% tariff on Indian exports. These reports cited unnamed Indian officials.
In particular, speculation had swirled around India’s alleged rejection of a potential deal for F-35 stealth fighter jets as a form of retaliation. However, sources told Hindustan Times that India had not turned down any such proposal — in fact, the procurement process for the fifth-generation aircraft had not even started.
The tariff tensions escalated after Trump accused India of “funding Russia’s war effort” by purchasing discounted oil from Moscow. On August 6, the US imposed an additional 25% tariff, doubling the duty on Indian goods to 50%, one of the highest levied on any US trading partner.
Despite growing friction, both New Delhi and Washington have reiterated their desire to safeguard long-term strategic cooperation across key sectors, including defense, trade, and technology.
