Rising tensions between India and the U.S.; New Delhi halts arms purchase from Washington

Informed Indian officials said that New Delhi has stopped its plans to purchase new American weapons and aircraft.

This is the first sign of India’s dissatisfaction after the imposition of tariffs on its exports by U.S. President Donald Trump, which has brought bilateral relations to their lowest level in decades.

India had planned to send its Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington in the coming weeks to announce some of these purchases, but according to two informed sources, the trip has been canceled.

On August 6th, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. The U.S. claimed that India’s action amounted to financing Russia’s attack in the Ukraine war. Trump’s move raised the total tariffs on Indian exports to 50%, among the highest rates imposed by the U.S. on its trade partners.

The U.S. president is known for quickly changing his stance on tariffs, and India has stated that it is actively negotiating with Washington. One source said military purchases could resume once India receives clarification on tariffs and the direction of bilateral relations.

Another official said that no written directive to stop purchases had been issued, indicating that New Delhi still has the option to quickly change course, although at least for now, there is no forward movement.

New Delhi, which had developed close cooperation with the U.S. in recent years, has said it has been unfairly targeted.

India’s planned purchases included General Dynamics Land Systems’ Stryker armored vehicles and Javelin anti-tank missiles produced by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.