Indian Defence Ministry officials denied news reports that India had paused arm deal talks with the United States amid President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs, terming them fabricated. Earlier reports also suggested that India had paused defence purchases with the US and cancelled the upcoming visit of the Defence Minister to Washington.
"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," stated Defence Ministry officials, quoted by news agency ANI.
Earlier Report:
The Narendra Modi-led Centre put on hold its arms purchase deal from the United States and cancelled Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to Washington, according to the news agency Reuters, citing three Indian officials familiar with the matter. This is India's first counter reply to President Donald Trump's 50% tariff on Indian goods.
According to reports, India also cancelled Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the US in the coming week to discuss some arms purchases, two people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India will never compromise on the interests of its farmers, fishermen, and dairy sector. This was a subtle message directed to President Trump. He said he is personally prepared to bear a significant personal cost if necessary.
Trump on August 6 said that the US would impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods as punishment for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, which he said meant the country 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.
Also Read | ‘Farmers’ Interests Are India’s Top Priority’: PM Modi Sends Strong Message Amid Trump Tariffs.
Trump has previously revised tariffs after announcing them, and India has said it will remain actively engaged in discussions with Washington. According to the news agency, a citing official said that the purchase of US arms will resume once both countries settle on the mutual tariffs. He said this will not happen "as soon as" they expected.
However, no written instructions have been given to pause the purchase deal, said the official. He said the Indian government still has a chance to reverse its decision, as there was "no forward movement at least for now." Meanwhile, India's defence ministry and the Pentagon did not respond to Reuters' questions.