Washington warns of sanctioning India over Russian S-400 missile purchase
The US assistant secretary of defence for Asia and Pacific security affairs, Randall Schriver warned of sanctioning India over purchase of Russian S-400 missile system purchase.
During an event in Washington on August 29, Schriver said, “The S-400 is a system that is particularly troubling for a lot of reasons, and I think our strong preference is to seek alternatives.”
He said, “If they choose to go down that route, like I said, I can not sit here and tell you today that the waiver will necessarily be used.”
He further added, “We would still have very significant concerns if India pursued major new platforms and systems.”
The S-400 missile system is designed to track and destroy the aircrafts; even the stealth aircrafts that could include the US built F-35 fighter jet.
India – Russia are in final stage of mega defence deal of S-400 missile system. India is in process to buy five S-400 Triumf air defence missile system from Russia for USD 4.5 billion approximately.
US threatened to sanction India on purchase of S-400 missile system from Russia, but in the month of July, Indian defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman ordered to proceed ahead to buy the Russian missile system.
Indian defence minister is supposed to tell to US its decision about the purchase of S-400 missile system from Russia during India’s and US’ defence and foreign ministers 2+2 dialogue. The long awaited 2+2 dialogue, that US is postponing for a year, will be held on September 6, 2018 in New Delhi.
India has already declared that it will follow only UN sanctions and not the unilateral sanctions by any specific country.