India Dismisses Reports of Pausing U.S. Arms Talks, Says Procurement Unaffected

India’s Ministry of Defence has firmly rejected media claims that India has paused discussions for defence acquisitions with the United States, calling such reports “false and fabricated.” Officials clarified that procurement processes are continuing “as per extant procedures” and no instructions have been issued to halt negotiations.

In an official statement and through verified social media handles, the Ministry of Defence stated that all procurement actions are progressing under established protocols. It also emphasised that bilateral defence cooperation with the US remains on track and that no changes have been made to the government’s acquisition plans.

Why did the Indian defence ministry issue the clarification?

The clarification followed international media reports alleging that India had delayed or suspended key defence purchases amid recent trade tensions with the US. According to the reports, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s planned visit to Washington, expected to coincide with these announcements, had been cancelled.

The reported deals included Stryker combat vehicles from General Dynamics, Javelin anti-tank missiles from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, and six Boeing P-8I maritime patrol aircraft valued at around $3.6 billion.

What triggered the reports on India-US defence deals?

The Ministry’s clarification comes against the backdrop of heightened trade frictions, following the US government’s decision to impose steep tariff hikes on Indian exports. The additional duties, aimed partly at penalising India for its continued purchase of Russian oil, have raised speculation about potential spillover into other areas of bilateral engagement.

Despite these economic tensions, Indian officials underscored that defence cooperation is a separate track, insulated from trade disputes. Strategic collaboration between the two countries, including intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, and technology transfers, continues uninterrupted.

The United States is one of India’s key defence partners, supplying advanced platforms across air, sea, and land domains. In recent years, New Delhi has diversified its defence imports, increasing acquisitions from Western nations while maintaining traditional ties with Russia.

Why are India-US defence ties important?

Expanding defence relations with the US has been a significant part of this strategy, with high-value contracts in maritime surveillance, transport aircraft, and artillery systems already delivered or underway.

Government sources stressed that all current procurement proposals are being evaluated through India’s standard Defence Acquisition Procedure, which involves technical assessments, cost negotiations, and approvals at multiple levels. Such processes, they noted, can take time and should not be misinterpreted as a pause or suspension.

By reiterating its position, the Ministry of Defence has sought to assure both domestic and international stakeholders that planned acquisitions from the United States remain unaffected. The clarification also serves to counter what it describes as “unverified and speculative reporting” that could undermine the ongoing momentum in India-US defence cooperation.