Shivam Patel

An Indian defence committee has recommended including the private sector in military aircraft manufacturing to shore up the capabilities of the Indian Air Force, whose falling squadron strength and delayed fighter deliveries have irked its chief.

India's opposition parties have criticised U.S. President Donald Trump's offer to sell F-35 fighters to the country, citing their high costs, even as Russia has discussed producing its most advanced jets locally in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goals.

India expects to sell short-range missiles to the Philippines this year in a deal worth more than $200 million, Indian sources told Reuters, for New Delhi's second major defence export contract with Manila as tension grows with China.

France is in advanced talks with India to buy a multi-barrel rocket launcher system, a top Indian official said on Monday, a potential deal that would be the first time India's second-largest arms supplier buys weapons from New Delhi.

India is in talks with the United States for the purchase and co-production of combat vehicles as well as finalising a fighter jet engine deal, people familiar with the matter said, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets President Donald Trump this week.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the U.S. on Wednesday for talks with President Donald Trump on trade and other issues, days after many Indians were deported in shackles on a U.S. military plane and more are due to come.

India on Saturday proposed defence spending of 6.81 trillion rupees ($78.70 billion) for the 2025-26 fiscal year, up 9.5% from the previous year's initial estimates, with most eaten up by wages and pensions rather than acquiring new weapons.

India is concerned recent trade pacts signed by the Maldives will likely hurt the archipelago's cash-strapped economy, the Indian foreign ministry said on Friday, in a reference to agreements between the Maldives and China, as well as Turkey.

India and China have agreed to resume direct air services after nearly five years, India's foreign ministry said on Monday, signalling a thaw in relations between the neighbours after a deadly 2020 military clash on their disputed Himalayan border.

Indonesia and India will discuss boosting defence ties, including a potential deal to sell Russian-Indian supersonic cruise missiles to Jakarta, during the Indonesian president's visit to New Delhi this week, according to people familiar with the discussions.