India’s S-400 take care of Russia might set off US sanctions: Congressional report

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) – an unbiased and bipartisan analysis wing of US Congress – in its newest report back to Congress, stated India is “eager for more technology-sharing and co-production initiatives, while the United States urges more reforms in India’s defence offsets policy and higher Foreign Direct Investment caps in its defence sector.”

Prepared for the members of the Congress for them to take knowledgeable choices, the report went on to warn that “India’s multi-billion dollar deal to purchase the Russian-made S-400 air defence system may trigger US sanctions on India under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.”

The CRS’ studies are neither an official report of the US Congress nor replicate the view of Congressmen. They are ready by unbiased consultants for the lawmakers to take knowledgeable choices.

In October 2018, India had signed a USD 5 billion take care of Russia to purchase 5 items of the S-400 air defence missile techniques, regardless of a warning from the Trump administration that going forward with the contract might invite US sanctions.

In 2019, India made the primary tranche of fee of round USD 800 million to Russia for the missile techniques.

The S-400 is called Russia’s most superior long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.

Last month, Russia had stated that implementation of its ongoing defence offers with India together with the availability of a batch of S-400 missile techniques is advancing properly however the specter of US sanctions.

At a press convention in New Delhi final month, Russian ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev appeared to criticise the US sanctions on Turkey for procuring the S-400 missile techniques underneath a USD 2.5 billion deal, saying Moscow doesn’t recognise such unilateral actions.

“We do not recognise or welcome unilateral sanctions as a language or tool or instrument of interstate or international relations, other than those applied by the UN Security Council, this is also the case of Turkey,” he stated.

“As far as India is concerned, we share the same platform. India’s position is also crystal clear. No sanctions are acknowledged other than those imposed by the UN Security Council. Whatever the future is, we believe that our ties could withstand the coming challenges,” he stated.

Kudashev was requested to touch upon the US sanctions on Turkey underneath the provisions of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).