The Defence Ministry of India has denied reports that India has paused or put on hold its talks or plans to procure new arms and aircraft from the United States following the additional 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods, which raised the total tariffs on Indian exports to 50%. They have clarified that various procurement cases are progressing as per the existing procedures and no decision to cancel the India-US defence deals has been made yet.
Multiple sources indicate that while a Reuters report claimed India had suspended these defence purchases and cancelled Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s proposed US visit, these reports are deemed false and fabricated by the Defence Ministry. Though the proposed visit was postponed, it was reportedly due to scheduling issues rather than any decision to halt defence deals.
Current procurement talks, including acquisition of equipment such as Stryker combat vehicles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and Boeing P8I reconnaissance aircraft for the Indian Navy, are officially still active, and there has been no formal confirmation of a pause. The reported cancellation of the visit and hesitation are viewed as reflective of tensions due to US tariffs rather than formal government decisions.