Washington: A legislative amendment to exempt India from harsh CAATSA sanctions in exchange for the purchase of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia to help counter to the aggressors like China has been approved by the US House of Representatives by a voice vote.
During the floor discussion of the National Defense Authorization Act on Thursday, July 14, the legislative amendment was approved as part of an en block (all at once) amendment (NDAA).
The amendment, which was written and introduced by Indian-American Congressman RO Khanna, calls on the Biden administration to use its power to grant CAATSA exemptions to India to counter to the aggressors like China.
In response to Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential elections, the US administration is empowered by strict CAATSA law to impose sanctions on countries that purchase critical defense equipment from Russia.
"The United States must support India in the face of China's growing aggression," said Khanna, the US Representative for the 17th Congressional District of California.
As vice president of the India Caucus, I strengthen the partnership between our countries. So that India can protect its borders by China.
He said that it is very important for the House to pass this amendment on a bipartisan basis.
The law, which was introduced in 2017, allows the US government to take punitive measures against any country that engages in trade with the Russian defense and intelligence sectors.
India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia in October 2018 to buy five S-400 air defense missile systems, despite warnings from the then Trump administration that there could be US sanctions on proceeding with the contract.
Russia's most sophisticated long-range surface-to-air missile defense system is known as the S-400. According to CAATSA, the US has already imposed sanctions on Turkey for the acquisition of several Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems.
There were concerns that the US could impose similar punitive measures on India in the wake of Washington's sanctions on Turkey for buying the S-400 missile system.
In light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there were concerns about possible delays in the delivery of critical military equipment to New Delhi. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov reportedly said that the delivery of the S-400 system is "proceeding well", Business Standard reported.
According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the US is yet to decide whether to grant or exempt India under the CAATSA law to purchase the S-400 missile defense system from Russia.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India has an independent foreign policy and its interests in national security are the basis for defense procurement.
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