India seems to have initiated one of its first significant counteractions to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as reported by Reuters on Friday. The purchase of arms from the United States is currently on hold, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s planned visit to Washington has been canceled.
In early August, President Trump imposed a general tariff of 25% on India, along with an additional 25% punitive tariff on its substantial Russian oil purchases. These tariff rates are set to become effective on August 26th.
According to sources from Reuters, the “suspension” of arms purchases is indefinite, albeit it could be reversed if negotiations between India and the US yield favorable results before the 50% tariffs kick in.
Historically, India has primarily relied on Russian and Soviet military equipment, but the landscape appears to be shifting, particularly after several border skirmishes with China in the Himalayas in 2020.
The border clashes didn’t escalate to the use of military weapons; instead, soldiers were compelled to engage without firearms, resorting to hand-to-hand combat and makeshift weapons. Nonetheless, this absence of heavy weaponry underscored the looming threat of a larger military conflict. Both India and China have since positioned troops and arms along the Himalayan border and have gradually allowed their forces to carry firearms.
In light of the current situation at the Himalayan border, the tension has lessened somewhat, but it remains present. The ongoing border crisis has prompted India to reassess its military strategy and its heavy dependence on Russian arms.
The underwhelming performance of Russian equipment in conflicts like those in Ukraine and Iran might have influenced New Delhi’s change in procurement strategy.
For quite some time now, India has been listed among the world’s top arms importers, though its position has slipped recently as Ukraine began receiving significant military aid following Russia’s invasion in 2022. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been eager to bolster domestic arms production as part of his “Make in India” initiative.
When Trump returned to office in February 2025, he suggested that India should press for more arms purchases from the US, which could also help reduce its substantial trade deficit with the US. Furthermore, Trump believed that strengthening defense partnerships with India might entice it away from the Chinese-led BRICS economic bloc, which includes Russia, a long-time arms supplier to India.
During his first term, Trump facilitated this transition. Near the end of the Obama administration, India was recognized as a “major defense partner,” and Trump formalized its Tier 1 strategic trade approval in 2018. This cleared the path for India to acquire a broad spectrum of military and dual-use equipment.
India’s arms purchases from the US have surged, exceeding $24 billion with contracts for helicopters, transport aircraft, drones, missiles, air defense systems, and electronics. Many agreements include co-production options, enabling India to begin domestic production. Meanwhile, Indian arms imports from Russia have decreased to approximately 36% over the last five years.
As the second Trump administration began, the US became India’s third-largest arms supplier, indicating potential for further growth. Trump had proposed India enter the F-35 joint strike fighter program, but Modi retreated from that offer after the initial 25% tariff was announced in early August, opting instead to acquire a fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 “Felon” fighter jet from Russia.
Some analysts speculated that India’s interest in the F-35 was serious, given its higher cost relative to Russian aircraft and the compatibility issues with India’s existing fleet of Russian equipment. Nonetheless, Modi seemed keen on maintaining a positive relationship with Trump while trade talks were ongoing.
Plans for arms deals seem to be on hold with respect to the next round of Trump’s tariffs, which include combat vehicles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and Boeing P-8i maritime aircraft, according to Reuters.
The deal regarding combat vehicles has run into complications, as some Indian officials prefer to advance local manufacturing initiatives known as wheeled armored platforms (WHAP). As of February 2025, plans were in motion for India to acquire strikers equipped with anti-tank capabilities and eventually lead to domestic co-production.
India is also possibly exploring a joint production agreement for Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) after purchasing several missiles from the US under an “emergency procurement” order aimed at bolstering its anti-tank capabilities against rivals like Pakistan and China.
India first acquired a limited number of Boeing P-8i Maritime Patrol aircraft in 2009 and 2016 primarily to enhance surveillance in the increasingly active Indian Ocean region, where China is asserting its presence.
India seems satisfied with the P-8i’s performance, having recently authorized an additional $2.42 billion for further orders, which was approved by the US Department of State in 2021. However, recent reports indicate that procurement has been delayed due to “significant cost increases and shifting strategic priorities.”
On Friday, India’s Ministry of Defense dismissed Reuters’ claims as “fabricated.” They insisted that various procurement processes are still ongoing, despite the aforementioned obstacles related to acquiring strikers, javelins, and P-8is.
The Ministry reiterated that “there is no suspension of consultations related to the purchase of our weapons.”
