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Key Points

India's Defence Ministry has dismissed reports of paused arms negotiations with the US as "false and fabricated." The denial comes days after President Trump imposed steep new tariffs on Indian goods. Trade tensions escalated after India continued purchasing Russian oil despite Western sanctions. Meanwhile, India and Russia reaffirmed their strategic partnership during high-level security talks.

Key Points: India Denies Reports of Pausing US Arms Deals Amid Trump Tariffs

  • Defence Ministry denies reports of paused US arms procurement
  • Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods over Russian oil imports
  • India-Russia reaffirm strategic ties amid US trade tensions
  • Rajnath Singh's Washington trip reportedly cancelled amid tariff dispute
2 min read

'False and fabricated': Defence Ministry denies reports of India pausing US arms talks

Defence Ministry refutes claims of halted US arms talks despite Trump's new tariffs, reaffirming procurement plans remain on track.

"The news reports on India pausing the talks related to defence purchases with the US are false and fabricated. - Defence Ministry source"

New Delhi, Aug 8

Amid the ongoing turbulence in bilateral relations following the high tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, Defence Ministry sources have denied reports that India has paused its plan to buy US arms.

Although there has been no official clarification on this sensitive issue but the Defence Ministry sources called these reports "false and fabricated."

"The news reports on India pausing the talks related to defence purchases with the US are false and fabricated. It is clarified that the various cases of procurement are being progressed as per the extant procedures," a Defence Ministry source said.

The news report also claimed that India had been planning to send Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington in the coming weeks for an announcement on some of the purchases, but that trip has now been cancelled.

Trump had, on Aug 6, imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods for importing Russian oil, which he claimed was funding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

That raised the total duty on Indian exports to 50 per cent - among the highest of any US trading partner.

The tariff war, observers claim, has put India-US bilateral relations in troubled waters.

The clarifications come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, after the latter met several Russian officials.

India and Russia share strong ties in several domains-primarily in defence and strategic ties. The two countries stressed their commitment to a "strategic partnership" during bilateral security talks, held a day after Trump announced higher tariffs on Indian imports in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an expat in India, I find this tariff war concerning. Both countries need each other - US for defense tech and India as strategic partner in Asia. Hope they resolve this soon through diplomacy.
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Priyanka N
Trump's tariffs are bullying tactics! India should diversify its defense partners instead of depending too much on any one country. Atithi Devo Bhava doesn't mean we'll accept everything 😤
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Arun Y
While I support strong India-US ties, our government must prioritize national interest. If Russian oil and arms serve our needs better, so be it. America can't dictate terms to sovereign nations.
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Kavitha C
The timing of this news leak is suspicious - right after NSA Doval's Russia visit. Some forces don't want India to maintain balanced relations with all major powers. Jai Hind!
M
Michael C
Respectfully, India should consider that US technology offers better quality and interoperability with Western systems. The short-term savings with Russian equipment may cost more long-term.
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Nikhil C
Make in India should be the ultimate goal! Whether it's US or Russia, we must focus on technology transfer and domestic manufacturing. Enough of being just a buyer in global arms bazaar.

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