World Exclusive: U.S. Commerce Secretary Urges India To Stop Buying Russian Military Equipment

In a world exclusive conversation at the India Today Conclave 2025, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has urged India to end its reliance on Russian military equipment, arguing that such a move is essential for strengthening ties between New Delhi and Washington. Speaking to Business Today Executive Director Rahul Kanwal, Lutnick said, “India has historically bought significant amounts of its military equipment from Russia, and we think that is something that needs to end.” He asserted that the US is willing to provide advanced American defence systems as an alternative. Beyond defence purchases, Lutnick also pointed to India's role in BRICS as another source of tension in bilateral relations. He criticised the bloc's efforts to develop an alternative global currency, suggesting it undermines US-India ties. “India is the 'I' in BRICS, trying to create a currency to replace the dollar as the global economic currency. These kinds of things do not create the love and affection that we really, deeply feel towards India. We would like those things to end. We would like trade to be more fair,” he stated.