India shrugs off US sanctions on Russia

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 30

To prevent an adverse impact on India’s military readiness, the security establishment is clear that the US-imposed sanctions on Russia and the resultant threat of sanctions on India have to be ignored.

India’s military relations with Russia have to continue as usual. Military readiness literally depends on these relations, said sources.

The IAF fighter jets Sukhoi-30 MKI, Army’s T-90 tanks, BrahMos missiles and large parts of ammunition comes from Russia or are licence-produced here. Also hinges upon Russia is the supply of spares for the Mi-17 helicopters, the MiG 29 fighter jets used by the IAF and the Navy, the transport fleet of the IAF and the armoured combat vehicles. The newly minted joint production of the Kamov helicopter will ensure that helicopters will be produced in India.

India operates one nuclear submarine, INS Chakra, on lease from Russia and another sub is being negotiated. Moscow has helped New Delhi build its indigenous nuclear submarine, INS Arihant.

Discussion on impact of US sanctions has emerged in New Delhi after the US Senate last week passed the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) without the provision of waiver sought by President Donald Trump’s Administration. India had also used diplomatic channels seeking the waiver.

The CAATSA requires to impose curbs on nations that have ‘significant’ defence relations with Russia. Among the 39 entities listed by the US is the Rosoboronexport, the Russian state-controlled intermediary for export and import of arms.

In the US, its legislators will now have to reconcile the Bills passed by two Chambers of its Congress. The US legislature consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Both have passed different versions of CAATSA. CAATSA passed by the Senate has no waiver, while the one passed by the House contains a six-month delay provision.