US Senator tells India’s S-400 missile system deal with Russia sanctionable

WASHINGTON:

US Senator Bob Menendez has urged US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to inform New Delhi about sanctions if India goes on with the S-400 missile defence system deal with Russia.

Austin will be in India as part of efforts to forge an alliance of countries seeking to push back against China’s assertiveness in the region.

During Austin’s visit, both nations are likely to discuss India’s plan to purchase armed drones from the United States and as a large order of 150 combat jets.

One issue that may come up during the discussions is India’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems, which under US law can attract sanctions.

The US had already imposed sanctions on Turkey for purchasing the same from Russia.

The chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez has urged Austin to make clear to Indian officials the US opposition to the deal.

“If India chooses to go forward with its purchase of the S-400, that act will constitute a significant and therefore sanctionable, transaction with the Russian defence sector under Section 231 of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA),” Menendez said in a letter to Austin.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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