India To Face US Sanctions Over Russian S-400 Missile System Deal? Joe Biden To Take A Call
Following the latest round of sanctions by the US and others on Russia, the future of India's deal to buy S-400 missile systems and other military spare parts is in jeopardy.
While Russia has assured that India will continue to have uninterrupted supplies of S-400 missile systems, the US may punish New Delhi with sanctions.
Biden to decide
Biden administration is looking whether to apply or waive sanctions on India for its purchase of the S-400 Triumf missile defence system, under Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), said US diplomat Donald Lu said.
Lu's remarks came as India drew criticism from US lawmakers, both Republicans and Democrats, at a hearing on the "US relationship with India" for being among 35 nations that abstained Wednesday from a UN vote to rebuke Russia's invasion.
Lu said that the Biden administration is yet to decide on applying sanctions on India under CAATSA.
"What I can say is that India is a really important security partner of ours now and that we value moving forward that partnership," he said.
70% of India's arms come from Russia
Over 70 percent of India's military hardware is made in Russia.
India has been the largest importer of Russian arms since 2016.
In October 2018, India had signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems, despite a warning from the Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions.
Russia has already started the supply of the missile systems.
Even if the US decides to waiver off the sanctions, Russia's ability to supply them to India is likely to be affected due to the restrictions imposed on Moscow.
S-400 missile systems supply won't be affected??
Earlier, Russian Ambassador-designate Denis Alipov had said that there will be no impact of the Western sanctions against it on the supply of S-400 missile systems.
"As regards the S-400 deal, be rest assured that it will not be impacted in any way. It is a 100 per cent surety.... As regards the overall trade and economic cooperation, we will see what will be the ultimate impact of those severe restrictions that are being imposed," he said.
India has not taken sides?
In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, India has so far towed a careful line without taking any sides.
"Our stand is neutral and we hope for a peaceful solution," the MEA had said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has so far twice spoken to Russia's Vladamir Putin since he declared the war on Ukraine last week.
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