Defence Ministry Refutes Claims of Halting U.S. Purchases

Swift Summary

• Teh Ministry of Defense (MoD) in India has dismissed media reports claiming that India paused defence procurement talks with the U.S. as “false and fabricated.”
• MoD stated that all procurement processes are being conducted according to standard procedures.
• A Reuters report, citing unnamed Indian officials, claimed India halted plans to purchase U.S. arms and aircraft due to trade tensions arising from recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. government under President Donald Trump.
• President Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods on August 6, 2025, reportedly in response to India’s purchase of Russian oil, which he argues funds Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This raised total duties on Indian exports to 50%, one of the highest among U.S.’s trading partners.

Indian Opinion Analysis

the denial by India’s Ministry of Defence highlights a commitment to openness amid ongoing geopolitical and trade challenges with the United states. While Reuters reported discontent among officials regarding tariffs, no verifiable confirmation links this sentiment directly to defence deals being paused. Such high import duties can strain bilateral ties but may also pressure India into reassessing its economic dependencies or diversifying trade relationships further.

With defence cooperation historically forming a critical pillar in Indo-U.S relations, any miscommunication surrounding procurement decisions could impact trust-building measures between the two nations at a crucial time for global geopolitics.

Read more: India pauses plans to buy US arms after Donald Trump’s tariffs