India Reportedly Halts US Arms Purchases Amid Tariff Dispute

India has reportedly paused its plans to procure U.S. weapons and aircraft, including Stryker combat vehicles, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and Boeing P8I reconnaissance aircraft, following President Donald Trump's imposition of additional tariffs on Indian goods. The tariffs, totaling up to 50% on certain exports, were justified by the Trump administration as a response to India's continued purchase of Russian oil, which the U.S. claims funds Russia's war in Ukraine. This pause led to the cancellation of Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's planned trip to Washington, which was intended to finalize key defense agreements. While no formal written instructions to halt the deals have been issued, officials indicated no forward movement on the purchases for now, though the deals could proceed if trade tensions ease. India has officially denied the reports of a procurement freeze, calling them false and fabricated, but the situation reflects growing frustration in New Delhi over U.S. trade policies and threatens to strain the strategic partnership between the two countries. Despite this tension, India continues to emphasize the importance of defense collaboration while advocating for fair economic treatment.