Russia deal: US yet to decide on India waiver

THE US is yet to determine any potential Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) waiver to India in relation to its purchase of S400 missile-defence system from Russia, Biden administration said last week.

The US state department made the remark a week after India started receiving the supplies of S400 missile defence system from Moscow and amidst calls from top lawmakers – both Republican and Democratic – not to impose sanctions on India.

‘We would need to refer you to the Indian government for any comments on potential deliveries of the S-400 system. But we have been clear when it comes to the system, not only in the Indian context but more broadly as well, that we’ve urged all of our allies, all of our partners to forego transactions with Russia that may risk triggering sanctions under so-called CAATSA act. We have not made a determination on a potential waiver with respect to Indian arms transactions with Russia,’ said state department spokesperson Ned Price.

‘CAATSA, however, does not have a blanket or country-specific waiver provision attached to it. We also know that our defence relationship with India has expanded and deepened significantly in recent years. It’s deep and commensurate with the broad and deep relationship that we have with India and its status as a major defence partner,’ he said.

Several members of the US Congress have shown deep interest on the issue.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin will come to New Delhi for the 21st annual summit on 6 December. The summit comes after a one-year gap that has seen many developments, from the onset of Covid-19 to the inauguration of a new administration in the US to the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.