US continues to warn India of sanctions over missile defence deal with Russia

US continues to warn India of sanctions over missile defence deal with Russia

News

1. Trump administration has warned India of  US sanctions if it continues with big ticket arm purchases like S-400 missile defence system from Russia.

Important Facts

2. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of  2017(CAATSA):

• It is a US federal law that is designed to punish Russia for its seizure of Crimea and other activities.
• It requires the US to sanction anyone undertaking significant transactions with Russian intelligence and military services, including arms manufacturers.

3. S-400 Triumf missile defense system:

• It is one of the world’s most advanced air defense systems that can simultaneously track numerous incoming objects like aircrafts, missiles etc. and launch appropriate missiles to neutralize them.

4. Recently USA imposed CAATSA sanctions on China for purchasing SU-35 combat aircraft and S-400 surface-to-air missile system from Russia.
5. It is the first time the Trump administration targeted a third country with its CAATSA sanctions.
6. India is interested in the S-400 missile defense system and the talks with Russia are in advanced stage.
7. The recent warning from US can have an Impact on S-400 missile system deal, which is expected to be signed during President Putin’s visit to India.
8. However experts believe that there will be a different treatment of India and China with regards to CAATSA sanctions since:

• America seeks a strategic partnership with India and hence will not alienate India with sanctions.
• The US administration has acquired waiver power to spare allies and friends from such a sanction and officials had earlier indicated that India will be spared from the sanction for the defense deal.
• But the arms lobby in US also intends to use this opportunity to wean India from Russia for its arms needs.

9. India has conveyed that it will do what it takes to meet its security requirements regardless of sanction threats.