Delhi: In a firm clarification issued in Parliament, the Government of India has stated that no formal discussions or negotiations have taken place with the United States regarding the acquisition of F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets. The response, delivered in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, comes amid ongoing trade tensions and rising geopolitical sensitivities in India-US relations.
No Progress on F-35 Talks Despite US Interest
The statement was issued in reply to a question posed by Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade. Minister Singh clarified that, despite speculative references in the India-US joint statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February 2025 Washington visit—wherein the US indicated willingness to review policies on transferring advanced platforms like the F-35—no formal dialogue or actionable proposal has emerged.
This stance is consistent with reports from Bloomberg and other media outlets citing Indian government sources. These reports had earlier suggested that India had effectively ruled out any immediate defensive procurement from the US, including the F-35A stealth fighters.
Focus Shifts to Trade Diplomacy Amid Tariff Shock
The statement also comes at a time when Indo-US ties are under strain following President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement of a 25% tariff hike on Indian exports, effective August 1, 2025. Indian officials have expressed “shock and disappointment” but are refraining from retaliatory trade action.
Instead, New Delhi is exploring ways to stabilize bilateral trade by increasing imports from the US—such as natural gas, telecommunications equipment, and gold—as part of a broader diplomatic strategy aimed at preserving long-term economic ties.
Make in India Takes Priority Over Off-the-Shelf Imports
India’s reluctance to pursue the F-35 offer aligns with its larger defence acquisition framework focused on co-development and domestic production. The government remains committed to the “Make in India” initiative, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign, off-the-shelf military platforms.
During PM Modi’s visit to Washington, President Trump had reportedly advocated strongly for the sale of F-35A jets to India. However, Indian interlocutors reiterated the country’s strategic preference for technology sharing and indigenous capability-building rather than standalone purchases.
Balancing Sovereignty, Strategy, and Self-Reliance
Defence analysts interpret this decision as a complex interplay between India’s aspiration for self-reliance and the challenges facing indigenous fighter programs such as TEJAS. While India remains open to exploring alternatives like the Russian Su-57 stealth jets, its broader strategy emphasizes developing domestic aerospace strength, with continued collaborations involving countries like France.
The move is also seen as an assertion of strategic autonomy in an increasingly polarized global environment—where balancing defence ties with multiple powers remains crucial.
Trump’s Remarks Add Fuel to Friction
Further complicating the bilateral equation are President Trump’s public criticisms following the tariff hike. On his social media platform, Truth Social, he accused India of maintaining unfair trade practices and criticised its continuing defence and energy partnerships with Russia.
In one particularly provocative statement, Trump described India and Russia as “dead economies”—a remark that has drawn sharp rebuke in Indian policy circles and raised concerns about the trajectory of Indo-US relations.
Strategic Caution Amid Regional Uncertainty
Despite these tensions, India has maintained a restrained diplomatic approach. According to sources, the government continues to engage through official channels with key American figures, including Vice President J.D. Vance, while keeping the focus on regional stability—particularly following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam and ongoing US efforts to mediate India-Pakistan de-escalation.
As of now, New Delhi has not initiated any formal dialogue with Washington over F-35 acquisitions, reaffirming its stand on prioritising strategic independence, domestic capability, and trade diplomacy over reactive procurement or escalatory rhetoric.
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