The US House of Representatives has approved an India-specific waiver for CAATSA for its purchase of Russian S-400 missiles. This means that India will escape punitive sanctions for its key defence deal with Russia for weapons that will be deployed at the hostile northern frontiers.
Key highlights
- The legislative amendment seeking a waiver for India was introduced by Indian-origin Congressman Ro Khanna, who is the Vice-Chair of the Congressional India Caucus and member of the House Armed Services Committee.
- Khanna stated that the US has to grant the waiver to India keeping in mind a “strong” US-India defence partnership.
- If the waiver is indeed granted, it will allow India to freely purchase Russia’s S-400 missile system without the fear of American sanctions.
- The amendment only “urges” the President Biden to grant the waiver. The amendment “does not” mean a waiver has been granted. This is because only the President can grant the waiver under CAATSA.
What is CAATSA?
- CAATSA or Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act is a US legislation that imposes punitive measures, by way of sanctions, for defence and strategic engagement with “American adversaries” like Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
- It was passed in 2017. In 2020, Turkey had faced sanctions for taking delivery of the S400 system which is considered a risk to the NATO alliance.
About S-400
- The contract for delivery of the S-400 long-range air defence missile system from Russia was signed in October 2018 at a cost of around Rs 35,000 crore for five missile systems.
- The S-400 Triumph (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is an air defence missile system developed by Almaz Central Design Bureau of Russia.
- The S-400 Triumph air defence system integrates a multifunction radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and command and control centre.
- It is capable of firing three types of missiles to create a layered defence.
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