India has officially withdrawn its interest in acquiring the advanced F-35 fighter jets from the United States, according to a Bloomberg report citing a U.S. official. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and disputes over import tariffs are believed to have played a significant role in New Delhi’s decision.
While India has not completely shut the door on future negotiations, its enthusiasm for defense acquisitions from Washington has notably declined. The 25% import duty imposed by the U.S. under the Trump administration had already strained bilateral trade relations, further cooling defense cooperation.
Earlier this year, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February visit to the U.S., President Donald Trump offered the F-35 jets as part of broader discussions on defense and trade. At the time, the meeting was marked by a tone of diplomatic warmth and partnership.
However, relations have since soured. The Trump administration imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods and publicly criticized India’s trade policies via social media. Additionally, Washington expressed serious concern over India’s continued procurement of energy and military equipment from Russia.
Against this backdrop, India appears to have scaled back not only its interest in the F-35s but also its broader defense purchasing plans from the United States. Speaking to Bloomberg on condition of anonymity, a U.S. official confirmed that India has shown “no interest” in moving forward with the F-35 acquisition. The official further noted that India was initially more interested in joint design and co-production, but the current diplomatic climate has cast doubt on that prospect as well.
Meanwhile, a report by the Hindustan Times highlighted a recent crash involving a U.S. F-35 fighter jet belonging to the “Rough Raiders” VF-125 squadron in California on July 31. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Despite setbacks in defense cooperation, India is reportedly exploring increased imports of natural gas, gold, and telecommunications equipment from the U.S. Analysts believe this measured approach signals not only a geopolitical message but also a commitment to strengthening domestic defense capabilities.
Sources: Bloomberg, Hindustan Times