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The Ministry of Defence on Thursday categorically rejected media reports suggesting that India had paused discussions on defence procurements from the United States, describing them as “false and fabricated.” Officials affirmed that acquisition processes are progressing in line with established procedures.
Earlier, Reuters reported, citing unnamed Indian officials, that New Delhi had put on hold plans to purchase US-made Stryker combat vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems and Javelin anti-tank missiles jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. According to the report, the move was a sign of discontent following additional US tariffs on Indian exports imposed by President Donald Trump, which it said had strained bilateral ties to their lowest point in decades.
“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,” Defence Ministry sources said.
The Reuters report also claimed that a planned visit by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington, intended for announcements on certain deals, had been cancelled. It further noted that Trump, on August 6, raised tariffs on Indian goods by an additional 25% in response to India’s purchase of Russian oil, taking the total duty on certain exports to 50%.
India–US Defence Partnership
While Russia remains India’s largest arms supplier, its share has declined as New Delhi has diversified its defence procurement sources. Since the landmark 2008 India–US civil nuclear agreement, Washington has become India’s second-largest defence partner, with bilateral defence trade growing from under USD 1 billion to over USD 18 billion.
India’s major US-origin acquisitions include C-130J Super Hercules, C-17 Globemaster III, P-8I Poseidon aircraft, AH-64 Apache and CH-47 Chinook helicopters, and M777 howitzers. Last month, the Indian Army received its first batch of Apache helicopters.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February meeting with President Trump at the White House, both sides announced plans for new procurements and potential co-production of Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stryker infantry combat vehicles in India. They also agreed to finalise within the year a new ten-year framework for the US–India Major Defence Partnership, aimed at deepening cooperation through joint development, regular bilateral dialogues, and combined military exercises.
Team BharatShakti
