Tensions between the United States and India are simmering as President Donald Trump ramps up pressure on New Delhi, threatening hefty tariffs and slamming India’s reliance on Russian weapons. In a fresh salvo, Trump’s administration claims the Indian military would falter without Moscow’s arsenal, while U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick doubles down, urging India to sever its long-standing defense ties with Russia to bolster Indo-U.S. relations.
“India’s been buying Russian gear in bulk for years—we get it, but that’s got to end,” Lutnick declared on a TV broadcast, pitching American defense systems as the smarter alternative. The comments echo Trump’s earlier offer of F-35 jets during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Washington visit, part of a broader push to pivot India toward U.S. weaponry.
Yet, American critiques cut both ways. A 2021 Congressional Research Service (CRS) report bluntly stated that India’s armed forces can’t function effectively without Russian supplies—a dependency set to linger for years. “Russia offers tech and deals no one else can match,” the report noted, highlighting Moscow’s edge in affordability and willingness to share advanced systems like the S-400, which outclasses U.S. equivalents like Patriot and THAAD.
India’s arms shopping spree tells the tale: since 2010, Russia has supplied 62% of its imports, per the report, making India the world’s top buyer of Russian weapons—though the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) pegs it closer to a third. Still, under Modi’s watch since 2015, that reliance has started to wane, even as blockbuster purchases like the S-400 keep ties alive.
Trump’s tariff threats add fuel to the fire. With deportations of undocumented Indians already underway, the administration is signaling a harder line, demanding India rethink its trade and defense playbook. “They’re finally being called out,” Trump said recently, claiming India’s hinted at slashing tariffs under pressure.
As Modi navigates this high-stakes standoff, analysts wonder: will India double down on its Russian roots or pivot West to dodge Trump’s economic wrath? The clock’s ticking on a partnership teetering between old allies and new demands.