This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of External Affairs' response to a parliamentary question regarding India-U.S. relations, specifically focusing on military assistance and third-party mediation.
Regarding the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to India, the response indicates that while the U.S. President announced in February 2025 a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters to India, no formal discussions have taken place as of August 1, 2025. The announcement was made in the India-U.S. Joint Statement following the meeting of the Prime Minister with the U.S. President Donald Trump on February 13th, 2025.
Concerning the role of American diplomats in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, the document clarifies that India communicated a consistent message of a focused, measured, and non-escalatory approach to various countries, including the United States. Specifically, Vice President J.D. Vance was informed on May 9, 2025, that India would respond appropriately to a major attack by Pakistan. The cessation of military action was directly negotiated between India and Pakistan through existing military channels, initiated at Pakistan's request. India's position remains that any outstanding issues with Pakistan will be discussed bilaterally, a stance communicated to all nations, including the U.S. President.
Finally, the document affirms that the Indian government thoroughly evaluates all external partnerships, including defense and strategic collaborations, based on India's national interest and commitment to strategic autonomy. The India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is grounded in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill, and strong citizen engagement, further strengthened by increasing strategic convergence and cooperation.
Key Entities Referenced
United States: Country involved in potential military assistance and diplomatic discussions with India.
F35 fighter jets: Fifth-generation fighter aircraft potentially to be sold by the United States to India.
India: One of the primary countries involved in discussions regarding military assistance and regional conflicts.
Pakistan: Neighboring country of India, involved in regional conflicts and discussions with India and other nations.
SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE: Member of LOK SABHA who asked the question regarding relationship with USA
SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH: The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs who answered the question
Donald Trump: Former U.S. President who met with the Prime Minister of India.
Pahalgam: Location of a terrorist attack that prompted diplomatic conversations.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2084
ANSWERED ON – 01/08/2025
RELATIONSHIP WITH U.S.A ON MILITARY ASSISTANCE
2084. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether any official proposal was received from the United
States regarding the sale of F-35 fighter jets to India following the
announcement by the USA President in February;
(b) the role of the American diplomats to stop hostilities between
India and Pakistan; and
(c) whether the Government has reviewed the relationship between
US military assistance proposals and autonomy in terms of India's
foreign policy in view of the strategic implication especially in a
conflict scenario involving third-party mediation?
1ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) The India-US Joint Statement following the meeting of Prime
Minister with U.S. President Donald Trump on 13th February 2025
mentions that the U.S. will undertake a review of its policy on
releasing fifth generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea
systems to India. No formal discussions have been held as yet on
this issue.
(b & c) Between 22 April, when the Pahalgam terrorist attack
happened and 10 May, there were a number of diplomatic
conversations with various countries at different levels, including
with the United States. All our interlocutors were given a common
message that India’s approach was focused, measured and non-
escalatory. With specific reference to the United States, it was
conveyed to Vice President J.D. Vance on 09 May that India would
appropriately respond if Pakistan launched a major attack. The
discussion to cease military action took place directly between
India and Pakistan through the existing channels of communication
2between the two-armed forces, and it was initiated at Pakistan's
request.
As regards any proposal for third party mediation, our longstanding
position remains that any outstanding issue with Pakistan will be
discussed only bilaterally. This has been made clear to all nations,
including by the Prime Minister to the U.S. President.
The India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership is
anchored in mutual trust, shared interests, goodwill and robust
engagement between our citizens. The partnership has also
benefited from growing strategic convergence and cooperation. The
Government of India closely evaluates all its external partnerships,
including those in the defence and strategic domains, through the
prism of India’s national interest and commitment to strategic
autonomy.
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