New Delhi: Amid growing pressure from the United States, Indian officials on Wednesday said that India cannot be stopped from procuring military equipment from Russia, citing strategic autonomy and national security imperatives.
The assertion comes a day after US President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports and threatened penalties for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian arms and oil.
Trump claimed India was funding Russia’s war machinery through these deals, but Indian authorities maintain that the country’s defence procurement is guided solely by national interest.
“India cannot be dictated on matters of national security. Our procurement decisions are based on strategic needs and battlefield requirements,” a senior official said.
India’s military inventory remains heavily dependent on Russian-origin platforms, including the S-400 air defence systems, Sukhoi and MiG fighter jets, T-90 tanks, and several classes of naval vessels and helicopters.
Additionally, the jointly developed BrahMos missile system is considered a key pillar of India’s strike capabilities.
Officials noted that Russia has historically been more flexible on technology transfers.
“Unlike the US, Russia has shared technology and allowed domestic manufacturing of systems like Sukhoi-30 MKI, BrahMos, T-90 tanks, and AK-203 rifles,” the official added.
While India has also deepened defence cooperation with the US in recent years—purchasing over $20 billion worth of platforms—it has yet to receive critical technologies or co-production rights.
India has repeatedly asserted its position on maintaining diversified defence partnerships and has resisted international attempts to influence its military choices.
“Strategic autonomy is non-negotiable,” officials said, adding that India will continue to pursue defence agreements in line with its sovereign interests.
