India Confirms No Discussions on F-35 Jet Procurement with U.S., Focuses on Self-Reliance
The Indian government has officially denied any formal negotiations with the United States concerning the acquisition of F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets. This statement was issued as a response to a question in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's Parliament.
Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister of State for External Affairs, clarified this in response to Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade's inquiry. Although an India-US joint statement following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington in February 2025 mentioned a potential review of US policy on transferring advanced platforms like the F-35, no definitive talks or proposals have been initiated.
This clarification is consistent with reports from international media, including Bloomberg, indicating that India has not pursued any immediate defensive acquisitions from the US, particularly the F-35 stealth fighters.
In response to the recent 25% tariff increase on Indian exports announced by President Donald Trump, effective from August 1, 2025, India seems to be adjusting its economic and diplomatic strategies. Rather than retaliating, India is exploring ways to boost imports from the US, focusing on areas such as natural gas, communication technology, and gold to stabilize trade relations.
India's position on the F-35 aligns with its broader focus on self-reliance in defense as part of the "Make in India" initiative. During his visit to Washington, Prime Minister Modi reportedly emphasized India's preference for joint development projects over direct purchases of platforms like the F-35A stealth jet, which President Trump had strongly promoted.
Defense analysts interpret India's decision to refrain from purchasing the F-35 as a strategic move aimed at long-term sovereignty. This perspective comes despite existing challenges in India's indigenous defense manufacturing and operational issues with platforms like the TEJAS fighter program. India is reportedly considering alternatives such as Russia's Su-57 fifth-generation jets and is exploring enhanced defense cooperation with nations like France.
Recent tensions between India and the US have been exacerbated by President Trump’s critical remarks on India's trade policies and its strategic ties with Russia. His social media comments describing India and Russia as "dead economies" have led to diplomatic unease, although formal communications continue. The US has also been involved in de-escalation talks following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
In the face of increasing trade friction and changing geopolitical dynamics, the Indian government is staying committed to a non-escalatory, diplomatically balanced approach. The focus remains on defense co-development, economic diplomacy, and enhancing indigenous capabilities as central elements of its strategic policy.
