The S-400 is known as Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defense system (Archive)
Washington:
India’s multi-million dollar deal to buy the Russian-made S-400 air defense system may trigger US sanctions in New Delhi, a US Congress report warned.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS), an independent and bipartisan research wing of the US Congress, in its latest report to Congress, said India is “eager for more technology co-production and sharing initiatives, while “The US urges more reforms in India. Defense offsets policy and higher limits on foreign direct investment in its defense sector.”
Prepared for members of Congress to make informed decisions, the report goes on to warn that “India’s multi-million dollar deal to buy the Russian-made S-400 air defense system may trigger US sanctions against India under the Adversaries Act. through sanctions “.
CRS reports are not official reports of the United States Congress nor do they reflect the views of the congressmen. They are prepared by independent experts for legislators to make informed decisions.
In October 2018, India signed a $ 5 billion deal with Russia to purchase five units of the S-400 air defense missile systems, despite a warning from the Trump administration that going ahead with the contract could lead to US sanctions.
In 2019, India made the first tranche of payment of around $ 800 million to Russia for the missile systems.
The S-400 is known as Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defense system.
Last month, Russia had said that the implementation of its ongoing defense agreements with India, including the supply of a batch of S-400 missile systems, is progressing well despite the threat of US sanctions.
At a press conference in New Delhi last month, Russian Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev appeared to criticize US sanctions on Turkey for acquiring S-400 missile systems under a $ 2.5 billion deal, saying that Moscow does not recognize such unilateral actions.
“We neither recognize nor welcome unilateral sanctions as a language, tool or instrument of interstate or international relations, apart from those applied by the UN Security Council,” he said.
“When it comes to India, we share the same platform. India’s position is also very clear. There are no recognized sanctions other than those imposed by the UN Security Council. Whatever the future, we believe that our ties could withstand the challenges ahead, “he said.
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