India-US arms talks paused amid tariff clash

A tariff dispute with the United States leads India to pause planned arms purchases from Washington.

India Freezes US Weapons Deals After Tariff Clash

India has paused plans to buy US weapons after Washington imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports in response to New Delhi purchasing Russian oil and arms. Reuters cited Indian officials as saying Defense Minister Rajnath Singh canceled a trip to Washington to announce new arms purchases, including Stryker combat vehicles from General Dynamics and Javelin missiles from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. The halted deals also include six Boeing P8I reconnaissance aircraft and related support for the navy, valued at about 3.6 billion dollars. Officials say talks could resume and that arms purchases might go ahead after tariff clarifications, but there is no forward movement for now.

New Delhi has long diversified away from Russia but remains a major supplier of weapons and oil. Russia provided a large share of Indian arms over the past two decades, though India has added French Rafale fighters and other sources. Indian leaders have signaled a wider strategic recalibration as Moscow seeks to maintain influence and as Washington presses for closer defense ties. The episode comes as New Delhi dispatched its national security adviser to Moscow for talks, underscoring India’s attempt to balance rival partners while keeping its options open for future purchases.

The episode highlights how trade policy can shape security choices. It shows India trying to protect its defense needs while managing a volatile set of alliances. The tariff move tests US willingness to offer concessions on strategic arms and puts pressure on New Delhi to accelerate diversification away from Moscow. If the dispute drags on, India may broaden its supplier base beyond Russia and the United States, potentially reshaping regional defense ties. In short, this is less a single decision and more a test of how India navigates cost, reliability, and strategic posture in a changing world.

Highlights

The next steps will reveal whether defense needs can outpace policy frictions.