Biden admn in dilemma over sanctions on India

New Delhi, January 13

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The US has expressed its dilemma over imposing sanctions on India for purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile defence systems.

Row over russian missile system

The administration made clear that it is discouraging India from proceeding with the acquisition of the Russian equipment. James O’Brien, US official

“I think we’ve to look at what the balance is… The administration made clear that it is discouraging India from proceeding with the acquisition of the Russian equipment. There are important geostrategic considerations particularly with relationship to China,” said James O’Brien, US President Joe Biden’s nominee as Coordinator for Sanctions Policy over Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

“It’s difficult to compare the two situations — a NATO ally (Turkey) that is breaking with legacy and India, a partner of growing importance but has legacy relationships with Russia,” added O’Brien James while speaking before the US Senate.

Turkey, India and China have purchased the S-400 missile systems, but only companies from Turkey and China have been sanctioned under the CAATSA, a US domestic law introduced during the Trump era. India has so far not been acted against. —