Sanctions act passes, sans any waiver provision

Sanctions act passes, sans any waiver provision

News:

1. The U.S. Senate has ignored the Donald Trump administration’s request for inclusion of waiver provisions for India in the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Important facts:

2. The CAATSA act requires the Congress to impose sanctions on countries that have “significant” defence relations with Russia.
3. The Senate version of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for 2019 was passed has no waiver provisions.
4. The actual passes version of the NDAA 2019 had provisions for waiver.
5. India Concern:

• The NDAA 2019 provisions for waiver is inadequate to address India’s defence purchases requirements with Russia.
• India is currently engaged in defence relation with Russia.
• The provision allows for waivers for 180 days provided the administration certifies that the country in question is scaling back its ties with Russia.