The Daily Populous Friday August 1st, 2025 evening edition
Authored by businesstoday.in and submitted by Normal_Imagination54

India has reportedly rejected the U.S. offer to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets, signaling a clear shift in its defense strategy even as it weighs options to ease tensions sparked by President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff threat.

According to a Bloomberg report, New Delhi conveyed its disinterest in the high-end warplanes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February visit to the White House. Trump had pitched the F-35 sale as a key plank in deepening bilateral ties, but India prefers a model focused on joint design and domestic manufacturing over expensive off-the-shelf acquisitions.

The decision comes amid growing uncertainty in U.S.-India trade ties. Trump’s abrupt announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian goods—set to take effect August 7—has caught Indian officials off guard.

While the Modi government has ruled out immediate retaliation, it is actively evaluating ways to narrow its trade surplus with Washington, including ramping up imports of U.S. natural gas, gold, and communication equipment.

But no defense purchases are on the table, officials quoted in the report said, rejecting a key American ask. The F-35, one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, has been a longstanding offer by the U.S. to India, seen as part of a broader push to counter China’s growing military presence in Asia. BT could not independently verify the claims made in the Bloomberg report.

India’s rejection marks a strategic pause on deep defense alignment. Instead, the focus is shifting toward self-reliance and indigenization under the government’s “Make in India” initiative. Officials say that any future military collaboration must include technology sharing and production within India.

Beyond defense, the broader relationship is under pressure. Trump’s claim that his diplomacy helped end the May ceasefire between India and Pakistan has been flatly denied by New Delhi. However, diplomatic channels remain open, with India still preparing to host the upcoming Quad leaders’ summit alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia.

Former commerce secretary Ajay Dua told Bloomberg TV that India is in no position to promise major energy imports or outbound investment to the U.S., but added, “We need to be a little more accommodating in the ongoing negotiations.”

ApostleofV8 on August 1st, 2025 at 14:33 UTC »

I was going to say something about the Russian stuff in Indian arsenal will stop the US from selling them F35 anyway....

But then, this administration (not to mention their picks for various important and sensitive position) probably have more rubles than the entire city of Vladivostok.

So I just assume whatever secret that the administration has access to, Kremlin has access to as well.

Nervous-Basis-1707 on August 1st, 2025 at 12:53 UTC »

F35s are very useful but indias primary potential enemies are right next door. Pakistan did ok in their recent conflict but the Indians still could strike anywhere into Pakistan that they wanted. I don’t know if f35s change that reality for them.

Meanwhile china doesn’t seem interested in actual wars. So why should India buy a bunch of jets that could be bricked by the US, while also under tariffs. There’s no rush to get F-35s, a domestic industry of drones and planes is definitely a better move, even if it takes decades.

Normal_Imagination54 on August 1st, 2025 at 12:28 UTC »

SS:

India has reportedly rejected the U.S. offer to buy F-35 stealth fighter jets, signaling a clear shift in its defense strategy even as it weighs options to ease tensions sparked by President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff threat.

According to a Bloomberg report, New Delhi conveyed its disinterest in the high-end warplanes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February visit to the White House. Trump had pitched the F-35 sale as a key plank in deepening bilateral ties, but India prefers a model focused on joint design and domestic manufacturing over expensive off-the-shelf acquisitions.