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India was in advanced talks with the US to purchase six Boeing P-8I reconnaissance aircraft worth USD 3.6 billion
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump (Reuters file photo)
India has paused its plans to procure several US defence systems, a move seen as a retaliation to US President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs, Reuters reported on Friday, though at least one Indian media report contradicted the claim.
The British news agency also reported that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s trip to Washington for defence procurement has been cancelled, though it was not clear if Singh’s visit had been finalised.
The discussions to purchase– Stryker combat vehicles made by General Dynamics Land Systems and Javelin anti-tank missiles developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin (LMT.N)– have been put on hold for now by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, as per Reuters.
However, India Today, citing sources, reported that the government has not taken any decision to cancel India-US defence deals.
On August 6, Trump announced to raise tariffs on Indian goods to 50% over its purchase of oil from Russia. In a strong statement, India called the US President’s move “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.” In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said India will take all actions necessary to “protect its national interests.
India-US Defence Ties
The share of Russia, which is India’s largest arms supplier, has come down in recent years as New Delhi looked beyond Moscow for its defence needs. After signing a historic nuclear deal in 2008 with India, the US emerged as the second-largest arms supplier to New Delhi.
The US-India defence trade has grown from under USD 1 billion to over USD 18 billion. Major acquisitions of India include C-130J, C-17, P-8I Poseidon, AH-64 Apaches, CH-47 Chinooks, and M-777 howitzers.
Last month, the Indian Army received the first consignment of Apache helicopters from the United States.
India-US Defence cooperation remains multifaceted and includes regular institutionalised bilateral dialogue, military exercises, and defence procurements.
Since 2022, four USʼ Maritime Sealift Command ships have visited Indian Shipyards for repair and allied services based on commercial contracts.
During PM Modi’s meeting with Trump at White House in February, both leaders announced plans to pursue this year new procurements and co-production arrangements for “Javelin” Anti-Tank Guided Missiles and “Stryker” Infantry Combat Vehicles in India to rapidly meet India’s defence requirements. To advance defence ties further, they also announced plans to sign this year a new ten-year Framework for the US-India Major Defence Partnership in the 21st Century.
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter –twitter.com/saurabhkverma19
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