Russia’s S-400 dangerous, hopeful of resolving issues with India: US

NEW DELHI: A top American diplomat on Wednesday described the Russian-made S-400 air defence system as “dangerous” but said the US is hopeful of resolving problems with India on the issue through discussions.

US deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman told a small group of reporters after her meetings with foreign secretary Harsh Shringla and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval that a final decision on possible sanctions on the S-400 deal will be made by President Joe Biden and secretary of state Antony Blinken.

“We’ve been quite public about any country that decides to use the S-400. We think that is dangerous and not in anybody’s security interest. That said, we have a strong partnership with India. We want to be very thoughtful about the ways ahead, and discussions between our countries try to solve problems and I hope we will be able to in this instance as well,” Sherman added.

People familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity that the US side raised the S-400 deal during the discussions on Wednesday and there was a feeling on both sides that there was a need for further talks on the issue.

Russian ambassador Nikolay Kudashev had said last month that his country is expected to deliver the first batch of S-400 air defence systems under a $5.4-billion deal by October.

The IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhry, also told reporters on Tuesday that the

first batch of S-400 systems is expected to arrive within this year.

Sherman’s remarks about resolving differences over the S-400 deal reflected a softening of the US position. The previous Trump administration had threatened to slap sanctions on the deal.

The Indian side has said it is determined to go ahead with the S-400 deal in view of its national security interests.