India ignores US sanction threat!

Special Correspondent

It seems like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration are this time all set to give a befitting response to the United States’ threat of sanctions should India buy defence items including S-400 long range surface-to-air missile system. With this latest development, India is trying to give a strong signal to the US and the world that it is unwilling listening to every dictations of any of the global powers including the lone superpower – the United States of America. Earlier, a top Pentagon official cautioned India that there are no guarantees for a special waiver from US sanctions if it buys weapons platforms from Russia.

Washington is alarmed at the prospect of India, an increasing important US military ally and the world’s top defense importer, buying new systems from Russia, including its S-400 long range surface-to-air missile system.

Under current US rules against Russia, third countries could face sanctions if they transact with Russian defence or intelligence sectors. But after lobbying from defence secretary Jim Mattis, Congress granted the US president and the secretary of state the option of granting waivers, such as when an ally nation transitions from legacy Russian gear to Western arms.

Despite this warning, India is now swiftly moving towards acquiring five advances S-400 Triumf air defence missile system from Russia despite the looming threat of US sanctions.