India halts US arms talks after Trump tariffs strain ties
Monitoring Desk
NEW DELHI: India has put on hold plans to procure new US weapons and aircraft, three Indian officials said, in its first concrete sign of discontent after tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump pushed ties to their lowest point in decades.
The paused purchases include Stryker combat vehicles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and several Boeing aircraft, the officials said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s planned trip to Washington for the announcements has been cancelled.
Trump on Aug. 6 imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over Delhi’s Russian oil purchases, raising total US duties on Indian exports to 50% — among the highest for any trading partner. He said the oil imports were helping fund Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Indian officials said the defence deals could still proceed once there is clarity on tariffs and the future of bilateral ties, but “not as soon as expected.” Written orders to pause the purchases have not been issued, allowing for a quick reversal.
Following publication of this report, India’s government issued a statement calling reports of a pause “false and fabricated,” saying procurement was progressing as per “extant procedures.”
The halted talks involve Stryker combat vehicles from General Dynamics Land Systems and Javelin missiles from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin — items Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced plans for in February.
