Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 8: In a significant diplomatic signal, India has put on hold plans to procure new US-made weapons and aircraft following a fresh round of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Indian exports, according to three Indian officials cited by Reuters.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was scheduled to visit Washington to announce key defence purchases, including six Boeing P-8I reconnaissance aircraft and support systems for the Indian Navy in a deal worth $3.6 billion. The trip, however, has now been cancelled. Talks to procure Stryker combat vehicles from General Dynamics and Javelin anti-tank missiles from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have also been paused.
The move marks India's first tangible response to Trump’s August 6 decision to slap an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil. The total duty now stands at 50%, making India one of the most heavily taxed US trading partners.
While no formal directive has been issued to suspend the defence acquisitions, officials indicated there has been no forward movement for now. One official said the deals may resume once there's clarity on tariffs and bilateral ties, but “just not as soon as they were expected to.”
India has expressed frustration over what it calls selective targeting, pointing out that the US and its European allies also continue energy trade with Moscow when convenient. The broader defence partnership—comprising intelligence sharing and joint exercises—remains unaffected, officials said.
India, the world’s second-largest arms importer, has in recent years shifted from relying on Russia to Western suppliers like France, Israel, and the US. However, New Delhi is still not expected to cut military ties with Moscow altogether, given the longstanding dependency on Russian systems.
Adding to the tension, Trump recently claimed to have brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—an assertion Delhi has repeatedly denied. His decision to host Pakistan's army chief at the White House after border clashes further strained ties.
Russia, meanwhile, has stepped up offers of new defence systems, including the advanced S-500 missile system. Indian officials, however, say there is currently no pressing need for fresh Russian arms.
India has also hinted it may reduce oil imports from Russia if competitive pricing is offered elsewhere, including by the US. Yet with rising anti-US sentiment at home, experts believe it's becoming politically harder for the Modi government to pivot fully away from Moscow.
Neither the Indian defence ministry nor the Pentagon has issued an official response. Major US defence contractors declined to comment, referring queries to respective governments.