Defence Ministry Denies Reports of India Halting U.S. Arms Talks, Calls Them “False and Fabricated”
The Indian Defence Ministry has firmly rejected recent media reports suggesting that India has paused talks with the United States on purchasing new weapons systems and aircraft. Calling the claims “false and fabricated,” officials clarified on Thursday that all ongoing procurement processes are moving forward as per established norms and procedures.
The response came after a report by Reuters, which quoted unnamed Indian officials, claimed that New Delhi had put a hold on planned arms deals with Washington. According to Reuters, this was seen as a sign of diplomatic strain, allegedly stemming from tariffs imposed on Indian exports during former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. The report suggested that the situation had dragged ties between the two nations to a low point.
However, Indian defence authorities have strongly denied any such disruption, saying there has been no freeze on talks or procurement plans with the U.S. In fact, India continues to engage with the U.S. on several high-level military platforms, including drones, fighter jets, and surveillance systems. These platforms are not only combat-proven but also tested in real-world battlefield environments, offering India a technological edge.
While there have been occasional strains in the relationship—such as disagreements over claims made by Trump regarding India-Pakistan ceasefire mediation—officials say the strategic defence cooperation remains robust. This includes intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and technology collaboration under agreements like COMCASA, LEMOA, and BECA.
India has steadily been diversifying its defence imports, moving away from a traditional dependency on Russian arms. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India is now importing more from countries like France, Israel, and the United States. This shift has been partly due to Russia's limited export capacity amid its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to pitch high-end systems like the S-500 air defence platform to India, but officials have stated there’s no immediate need for such purchases. New Delhi remains focused on modernising its armed forces with a mix of indigenous development and strategic imports, particularly from partners that align with its long-term interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Despite the media noise, the broader picture shows that U.S.-India defence cooperation is continuing without disruption. Defence officials have reiterated that no decisions have been taken to pause or cancel arms deals with the United States, and discussions on new platforms and upgrades are very much alive.
This clarification comes at a time when both countries are deepening collaboration in response to shared security concerns, especially involving China in the Indo-Pacific region. The Ministry’s strong denial aims to reassure stakeholders that India’s defence diplomacy remains on track and guided by its own strategic calculus—not by media speculation or short-term political noise.
