US ‘warns’ Delhi over missile purchase from Russia

This news has been read 7427 times!

NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON, Oct 3, (Agencies): The United States has warned India against a planned purchase of S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia when President Vladimir Putin’s visits New Delhi this week, saying such an acquisition would attract sanctions under US law.

India’s military wants the missile batteries, both as a deterrent against China and to gain an edge over traditional rival, Pakistan, as they are able to track and shoot down combat aircraft, even stealth planes, at unprecedented ranges.

India and Russia will sign the missile deal, estimated at more than $5 billion, during Putin’s visit for annual summit talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi beginnning on Thursday, a Kremlin aide said. But the United States has warned countries trading with Russia’s defence and intelligence sectors they would face automatic sanctions under a sweeping legislation called Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) that President Donald Trump signed into law last August. The law is designed to punish Putin for the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, involvement in the Syrian civil war and meddling in the 2016 US presidential election.

This news has been read 7427 times!