The United States has warned India against its plan of purchasing S-400 air defence systems from Russia when President Vladimir Putin visits New Delhi for a bilateral summit on Thursday, reported Reuters. The commercial negotiations for the deal, estimated to be around Rs 37,000 crore, concluded in May.

Under new US laws, countries that sign deals with Russian defence or intelligence sectors can face secondary sanctions. President Donald Trump signed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act into law in August 2017, and it came into effect in 2018. It aimed to punish Russia for its alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential elections and the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, among other things.

“We urge all of our allies and partners to forgo transactions with Russia that would trigger sanctions under the CAATSA,” a US State Department official said. “The administration has indicated that a focus area for the implementation of CAATSA Section 231 is new or qualitative upgrades in capability – including the S-400 air and missile defence system.”

However, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had earlier said that discussions were on whether to grant India waivers from US sanctions on Russia and Iran. He had said that Washington did not aim to “penalise great strategic partners like India”.

Last month, the US imposed sanctions on China after its military bought fighter jets and missile systems from Russia. Moscow said that these sanctions undermined global stability. “It would be good for them to remember there is such a concept as global stability which they are thoughtlessly undermining by whipping up tensions in Russian-American ties,” Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov had said. “Playing with fire is silly, it can become dangerous.”</s>NEW DELHI, Oct 5 (Reuters) - India agreed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 surface to air missile systems on Friday, the Kremlin said, as New Delhi disregarded U.S. warnings that such a purchase could trigger sanctions under U.S. law.

Although there was no public signing, the deal was sealed during President Vladimir Putin's ongoing visit to New Delhi for an annual summit.

"The deal was signed on the fringes of the summit," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters. The contract is estimated to be worth more than $5 billion and gives the Indian military the ability to shoot down aircraft and missiles at unprecedented ranges.

But the United States has said countries trading with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors would face automatic sanctions under a sweeping legislation called Countering America´s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

A State Department spokesperson said this week that the implementation of the sanctions act would be focused at countries acquiring weapons such as the S-400 missile batteries.

Last month, the United States imposed sanctions on China's military for its purchase of combat fighters as well as the S-400 missile system it bought from Russia this year.

India is hoping that President Donald Trump's administration will give it a waiver on the weapons systems which New Delhi sees as a deterrent against China's bigger and superior military.

After summit talks between Putin and Modi, the two countries signed eight agreements covering space, nuclear energy and railways at a televised news conference.</s>The S-400 Triumf air defence system deal, inked by India and Russia Friday notwithstanding the US pressure of sanctions, can engage up to 36 targets at a time and simultaneously launch 72 missiles.The long and medium range air defense missile system , which Air Force Chief B S Dhanoa said will provide a much needed "booster" to the Air Force, is designed to destroy air attacks, including stealth aircraft and any other aerial targets."The sides welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 Long Range Surface to Air Missile System to India," a joint statement released after the delegation level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladmir Putin said.The delivery of the missile systems, tipped to be over $5 billion, will start 24 months from the signing of the contract.Acquiring the missile system will help repulse the air attacks by India's adversaries, especially Pakistan and China.The signing of the deal assumes significance as China, too, has signed a deal with Russia to procure the same missile system."This is the most lethal weapons system in the world and it provides four different types of layered air defence," Air Vice-Marshal (retd) Manmohan Bahadur told PTI.However, the deal comes under the purview of Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which targets Russia, Iran, and North Korea.India has conveyed to the US its necessity to procure this air defence missile system.In 1999, the system was demonstrated for the first time at the Kapustin Yar practice range (the Astrakhan Region) to then defence minister Igor Sergeyev. The trials of the most advanced air defense missile system were carried out in the 2000s.The missile system has been in service since April 2007.The S-400 is based on the S-300PMU2 air defense missile complex.The air defence missile system comprises a combat control post, a three-coordinate jam-resistant phased array radar to detect aerial targets, six-eight air defence missile complexes (with up to 12 transporter-launchers, and also a multi-functional four-coordinate illumination and detection radar), a technical support system, a missile transporting vehicles and a training simulator, experts said.The S-400 system can also additionally include an all-altitude radar (detector) and movable towers for an antenna post, they said.The target detection range of this system is up to 600 kilometres and its tactical ballistic missile destruction range varies from five kilometres to 60 kilometres.</s>The United States said that the intent to slap sanctions on Russia was to impose costs for its 'malign behaviour'.

The US also made it clear that any waiver will be considered on a transaction-by-transaction basis, adding it cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: In a guarded reaction, the United States on Friday said its intent to slap sanctions against Russia was not aimed at imposing damage to the military capabilities of its "allies or partners," shortly after India concluded a deal for purchase of S-400 missile defence system from Russia.

Stating that the intent to slap sanctions on Russia was to impose costs for its "malign behaviour", the US also made it clear that any waiver will be considered on a transaction-by-transaction basis, adding it cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions.

Responding to a query on impact of anti-Russia sanctions on India after the conclusion of the S-400 contract, the US embassy spokesperson said, "Waivers of the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) section 231 will be considered on a transaction-by-transaction basis. We cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions."

"The intent of our implementation of CAATSA is to impose costs on Russia for its malign behavior, including by stopping the flow of money to Russia's defence sector. CAATSA is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of our allies or partners," the spokesperson added.

However, the spokesperson said, "the waiver authority is not for a blanket waiver. It is transaction-specific. There are strict criteria for considering a waiver."

The US reaction came after India and Russia concluded the USD 5 billion S-400 air defence system deal, notwithstanding the US warning that the deal would be a "focus area" for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking "significant" business deals with the Russians.

Also Read: Deal done: India signs up for Russia S-400 missile system amid US threat

The deal was concluded during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the annual summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.</s>India and Russia are likely to sign a $ 5 billion missile deal this week. The Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Thursday where both countries will discuss on S-400 air defence systems and key regional and global issues.

During the two-day visit Putin will arrive at the national capital at around 6:30 PM and will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence in an hour, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed

What is the S-400 air defence system?
• S-400 is known as Russia's most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.
• China was the first foreign buyer to seal a government-to-government deal with Russia in 2014 to procure the lethal missile system
• Moscow has already started delivery of an undisclosed number of the S-400 missile systems to Beijing.
• The S-400 is an upgraded version of the S-300 systems. The missile system, manufactured by Almaz-Antey, has been in service in Russia since 2007.
• The system can engage aerial targets that include aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ballistic and cruise missiles within a range of 400 km, at an altitude up to 30 km, as reported by Indian Express.

Even as the US had urged its allies to forgo transactions with Russia, warning that the S-400 missile defence system that India intends to buy would be a "focus area" for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking "significant" business deals with the Russians, India is still planning to sign the deal.

The US administration is required under a domestic law, Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act or CAATSA to impose sanctions on any country that has “significant transactions” with Iran, North Korea or Russia.</s>India on Friday hammered out a Rs 39,000-crore deal for five S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems with Russia during the annual summit between the two countries led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting President Vlamidir Putin. The deal has been inked despite concerns flagged by the US, which has slapped sanctions on Russia, about the purchase of the missile systems capable of knocking down jets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at a range of 400km. New Delhi is seeking a sanctions waiver, given that Russian-origin weaponry is in widespread use in the Indian armed forces.

The two sides “welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system to India,” said a detailed joint statement issued after the two leaders met for the 19th edition of the summit.

The US passed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act earlier this year, and said countries trading with Russia’s defence and intelligence sectors would face automatic sanctions under the sweeping legislation.

State Department spokesperson said this week that the implementation of the sanctions act would be focused at countries acquiring weapons such as the S-400 missile batteries. Last month, the United States imposed sanctions on China’s military for its purchase of combat fighters as well as the S-400 missile system it bought from Russia this year.

After Friday’s landmark deal was signed, the US embassy said the sanctions were aimed at punishing Russia and not to damage the military capabilities of its allies, indicating that India would be spared from the sanctions.

The 68-point India-Russia statement covered cooperation and partnership in the military, energy, space, economy and science and technology spheres.

“India gives top priority to its relations with Russia. In this rapidly changing world our relations have become more relevant,” PM Modi said. The long-awaited S-400 deal further strengthens Russia’s position as the top exporter of weapons to India. Russia accounted for 62% of India’s arms imports during 2013–17. The S-400 deliveries are expected to begin in two years. Indian Air Force chief BS Dhanoa said on Wednesday that the S-400 systems would be a booster dose for the IAF that is grappling with shrinking combat capabilities.

“The sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhance military technical cooperation between India and Russia, which have a long history of mutual trust and mutual benefit. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the significant progress made on the ongoing projects of military technical cooperation and recognized the positive shift towards joint research and joint production of military technical equipment,” the statement said, noting that military and military-technical cooperation between the two countries was an important pillar of their strategic partnership.

The next meeting of the Indian-Russian Intergovernmental Commission on Military-Technical cooperation to bolster bilateral ties will be held in December.

The two sides signed eight agreements including an action plan for prioritisation and implementation of cooperation in the nuclear sector and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Federal Space Agency of Russia ROSCOSMOS for cooperation in the human spaceflight programme.

“The next goal in our space journey is to send an Indian astronaut in Gaganyaan. I am very happy that you have assured full cooperation of Russia in this mission,” Modi said. Gaganyaan is an orbital spacecraft that will form the basis of India’s human spaceflight initiative.

Pacts were also inked for cooperation between Indian and Russian railways and for collaboration in the micro, small and medium enterprises sectors.

Stepping up energy cooperation was discussed extensively, including possibilities of collaboration on hydel and renewable energy. “The sides noted the importance of further widening of energy cooperation between India and Russia taking into account the Indian side’s interest in Russian energy assets, including natural gas, as well as in implementation of prospective joint projects in the field of renewable energy sources,” the statement said.</s>New Delhi, Oct 5: It remains to be a ticklish issue for India how to deal with the matter if the United States imposes sanctions in view of India purchasing S-400 Triumf. But neither India intends to go back nor wants to confront with any country. So what are the measures that India can take to sail this deal through and avoid sanctions.

Sources said that sanctions against any country come into force only when deal reaches the level of paying money or use transportation for the items. In such a situation the specific company on both sides will be sanctioned. So there is still possibility for India to carry on a dialogue with the US on one hand and with the Russian on the other to say that this is extremely important for India to carry on with this purchase. India-Russia may perhaps try to come up with some agreement on payment scheduled. Possibility of delay in payments might help up to some extent.

Also Read | Putin in India: Will US make an exception and why Pakistan would be worried

It is also being hoped that the US could see the merit of the deal and looking at the partnership with India as also of the national security interest to United States, they may full forgo sanctions and India can try to delay the entire process by telling the Russians to go for some kind of Rupee-Rubal trade in the meantime. So till such time it will remain a debt to the Russians. India will keep on doing counter trade to the extent possible.

Sources said that Indians will try to put across the point of always being in a very dangerous security environment and other East Asian countries too are worried about Chinese actions in South East Asia because of South China sea issue. And Pakistan is being seen as destabilizing factor in the region and promotion of terrorism so the value of India, Indonesia and Vietnam goes up for America. This has every possibility that US might reconsider sanctions on India.

Also Read | Why US is against India-Russia deal on S-400 Triumf missile system

There are wide ranging sanctions that are already imposed on Russia by Europe, the US and also in the context of UN. Actually last year American Congress passed Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) Bill which was approved by the US President. Later on this year the Congress gave President the discretion that in case if its is security and nation interest of United States of America then he could waive this in specific cases. But after this clarifications were issued on both sides, the US defence secretary was of the view that these are legacy purchases by countries like India, Indonesia and Vietnam etc so their interest needs to be kept in mind as they are good friends of the US also and this is also in the national interest of America to keep them as American partners in Asia Pacific.

Also Read | What is the 'game changer' S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile system?

But on the other hand officials at Cabinet level were of the view that there is no such decision and it is not possible to make exceptions on any ground. For them national security means national security. But India will have to look for some middle ground.</s>Washington: The US has urged its allies to forgo transactions with Russia, warning that the S-400 missile defence system that India intends to buy would be a "focus area" for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking "significant" business deals with the Russians.

The US administration is required under a domestic law, Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act or CAATSA to impose sanctions on any country that has ?significant transactions? with Iran, North Korea or Russia.

The Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections.

"We urge all of our allies and partners to forgo transactions with Russia that would trigger sanctions under CAATSA," a State Department Spokesperson said on Wednesday when asked about India's plan to purchase multi-billion S-400 missile defense system from Russia.

"The Administration has indicated that a focus area for the implementation of CAATSA Section 231 is new or qualitative upgrades in capability - including the S-400 air and missile defense system," the spokesperson said.

According to a media report, India and Russia will sign a deal for the multi-billion-dollar S-400 surface-to-air missile system this week.

Moscow has been negotiating to sell the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missiles to India for months.

The signing of the deal for Moscow's most advanced air defence system will be overseen by Russian president Vladimir Putin, who is visiting New Delhi on October 4-5 for the annual India-Russia summit, the report said quoting a top Kremlin official said.

"The President is trying to develop a relationship and change that, but we've not been successful, at least to date," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told NBC news in an interview.

In September, a senior administration official told reporters that purchase of major military system like multi-billion S-400 missile defense system would be considered as a "significant transaction and thus has a potential" for CAATSA sanctions.

The official emphasized that the ultimate target of these sanctions was Russia.

The CAATSA sanctions in this context are not intended to undermine the defence capabilities of any particular country.

"They are instead aimed at imposing costs upon Russia in response to its malign activities," the official had said.</s>NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India agreed a deal with Russia to buy S-400 surface to air missile systems on Friday, the Kremlin said, as New Delhi disregarded U.S. warnings that such a purchase could trigger sanctions under U.S. law.

Although there was no public signing, the deal was sealed during President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing visit to New Delhi for an annual summit.

“The deal was signed on the fringes of the summit,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters. The contract is estimated to be worth more than $5 billion and gives the Indian military the ability to shoot down aircraft and missiles at unprecedented ranges.

But the United States has said countries trading with Russia’s defense and intelligence sectors would face automatic sanctions under a sweeping legislation called Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

A State Department spokesperson said this week that the implementation of the sanctions act would be focused at countries acquiring weapons such as the S-400 missile batteries.

Last month, the United States imposed sanctions on China’s military for its purchase of combat fighters as well as the S-400 missile system it bought from Russia this year.

India is hoping that President Donald Trump’s administration will give it a waiver on the weapons systems which New Delhi sees as a deterrent against China’s bigger and superior military.

After summit talks between Putin and Modi, the two countries signed eight agreements covering space, nuclear energy and railways at a televised news conference.</s>New Delhi, Oct 5: It remains to be a ticklish issue for India how to deal with the matter if the United States imposes sanctions in view of India purchasing S-400 Triumf. But neither India intends to go back nor wants to confront with any country. So what are the measures that India can take to sail this deal through and avoid sanctions.

Sources said that sanctions against any country come into force only when deal reaches the level of paying money or use transportation for the items. In such a situation the specific company on both sides will be sanctioned. So there is still possibility for India to carry on a dialogue with the US on one hand and with the Russian on the other to say that this is extremely important for India to carry on with this purchase. India-Russia may perhaps try to come up with some agreement on payment scheduled. Possibility of delay in payments might help up to some extent.

Also Read | Putin in India: Will US make an exception and why Pakistan would be worried

It is also being hoped that the US could see the merit of the deal and looking at the partnership with India as also of the national security interest to United States, they may full forgo sanctions and India can try to delay the entire process by telling the Russians to go for some kind of Rupee-Rubal trade in the meantime. So till such time it will remain a debt to the Russians. India will keep on doing counter trade to the extent possible.

Sources said that Indians will try to put across the point of always being in a very dangerous security environment and other East Asian countries too are worried about Chinese actions in South East Asia because of South China sea issue. And Pakistan is being seen as destabilizing factor in the region and promotion of terrorism so the value of India, Indonesia and Vietnam goes up for America. This has every possibility that US might reconsider sanctions on India.

Also Read | Why US is against India-Russia deal on S-400 Triumf missile system

There are wide ranging sanctions that are already imposed on Russia by Europe, the US and also in the context of UN. Actually last year American Congress passed Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) Bill which was approved by the US President. Later on this year the Congress gave President the discretion that in case if its is security and nation interest of United States of America then he could waive this in specific cases. But after this clarifications were issued on both sides, the US defence secretary was of the view that these are legacy purchases by countries like India, Indonesia and Vietnam etc so their interest needs to be kept in mind as they are good friends of the US also and this is also in the national interest of America to keep them as American partners in Asia Pacific.

Also Read | What is the 'game changer' S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile system?

But on the other hand officials at Cabinet level were of the view that there is no such decision and it is not possible to make exceptions on any ground. For them national security means national security. But India will have to look for some middle ground.
India buys the S-400 missile system, potentially facing CAATSA U.S. sanctions.