August 9, 2025 — The Ministry of Defence on Friday denied media reports claiming that India has suspended negotiations with the United States over the purchase of military equipment following fresh US tariffs on Indian exports.
International news agency Reuters had reported that India had paused plans to acquire US weapons and aircraft after President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on certain Indian goods from August 6. The tariffs were reportedly linked to India’s continued imports of Russian oil, which the US administration has said contribute to Moscow’s funding of the conflict in Ukraine.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Defence described the reports as “false and fabricated.” The statement said all procurement cases with the US are being processed according to existing guidelines and procedures, and there has been no suspension of talks.
Defence officials confirmed that deliveries under existing contracts are continuing without disruption and that discussions for future acquisitions remain on schedule. Ongoing procurement includes systems such as naval helicopters, artillery platforms, and maritime surveillance aircraft.
The reports of a pause in defence talks came amid a broader trade dispute between India and the US. The latest round of tariffs was announced by President Trump as part of what he termed a response to “unfair trade practices” and “strategic misalignment” over energy imports from Russia.
India remains one of the largest buyers of US military hardware, with recent acquisitions including MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, M777 howitzers, and P-8I aircraft. Defence cooperation between the two countries has expanded in recent years through joint military exercises and technology-sharing agreements under the Indo-Pacific framework.
According to diplomatic sources, scheduled meetings between senior Indian and US defence officials later this month will proceed as planned. These discussions are expected to review ongoing projects and explore future procurement and collaboration in emerging defence technologies.
The Ministry’s clarification is seen as an effort to separate ongoing defence cooperation from trade disagreements, indicating that strategic ties in the security sector remain unaffected by the current tariff dispute.
