India’s defense ties with Washington remain on track with a US delegation set to visit New Delhi this month, even as the South Asian nation grapples with President Donald Trump’s 50% tariffs.
“We are expecting a US Defense Policy Team to be in Delhi in mid-August,” Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s External Affairs Ministry said Thursday. The 21st edition of the annual joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas is expected to take place later this month in Alaska, he added.
Ties between New Delhi and Washington have soured after President Trump doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50% as a punishment for buying crude from Russia. In this backdrop, India’s assertion of defense ties remaining unaffected is significant as US has been positioning the South Asian country as a counterweight to an aggressive China in the Indo-Pacific.
Both sides are also working to hold the 2+2 annual dialog, involving joint meetings of defense and foreign ministries, Jaiswal said, adding India hoped for ties with US “to move forward based on mutual respect and shared interests.”
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