‘No F-35 Formal Talks with US’: Centre Tells Lok Sabha

• The Centre has told the Lok Sabha that no formal talks have taken place with the US regarding the F-35 fighter jet deal.
• The Minister of State for External Affairs confirmed that a joint statement had mentioned a policy review for such aircraft, but no dialogue followed.
• The government’s statement follows a Bloomberg report that claimed India had ruled out the F-35 purchase to appease the US after new tariffs.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st July: The Centre has informed the Lok Sabha that no formal discussions have taken place with the United States regarding the purchase of F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets. This clarification came in a written response to a question raised by Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh confirmed that while the India-US joint statement from February had mentioned a potential review of the policy for advanced military platforms, no actual dialogue has occurred. This statement directly refutes recent speculation fueled by a Bloomberg report, which cited sources claiming India had ruled out new defense acquisitions like the F-35 to appease the US administration following President Donald Trump’s new tariffs.

The Bloomberg report claimed that New Delhi was “shocked and disappointed” by the tariff announcement and was instead exploring options to increase imports of American goods like natural gas and gold, rather than retaliating or making new defense purchases.

In a separate response, Singh also provided details on the diplomatic efforts following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. He stated that India had engaged in diplomatic interactions with multiple nations, including the US. He revealed that India’s approach was “focused, measured and nonescalatory,” and that it was conveyed to US Vice President J.D. Vance on May 9 that India would “appropriately respond if Pakistan launched a major attack.” The Minister added that the military action was ceased directly between India and Pakistan at the latter’s request.

The government’s statements come amidst heightened tensions with the US following President Trump’s recent public criticism of India’s economy and its trade policies, which he called “strenuous and obnoxious.”