NEW DELHI – Amid fears of U S sanctions over the S-400 missile defencesystem deal, Army Chief Bipin Rawat Sunday asserted that India follows anindependent policy and was also keen on getting the Kamov helicopters andother weapon systems from Moscow, PTI has reported.
India and Russia on Friday signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to procurethe S-400 Trimuf S-400 air defence system, which could attract sanctionsunder the Countering American Activities Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).The act is primarily aimed at countering Russia, Iran and North Korea.India and Russia concluded the deal notwithstanding the US warning that itwould be a “focus area” for it to implement punitive sanctions against anation undertaking “significant” business deals with the Russians.
Gen. Rawat, who returned Saturday night after a six-day visit to Russia,held talks with military officials of that country to enhance cooperationbetween the two countries. He said the Russians were very keen inassociating with the Indian Army and defence forces. Because they dounderstand that we are a strong Army, capable of standing up to what isright for us based on our strategic thought process, he said. The ArmyChief was speaking at the Gen. K V Krishna Rao Memorial lecture here.
On his Russian visit, Gen. Rawat recalled a question posed to him by aRussian naval officer that India seemed to be looking westwards at America,which has put sanctions on Russia, and that Washington has also threatenedto impose restrictions on New Delhi for dealing with Moscow. To this, Rawatresponded saying, “Yes, we do appreciate that there could be sanctions onus, but we follow an independent policy, he said. Rawat also sought toassuage Russian concerns over its growing ties with the US.
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You (Russia) can be rest assured (that) while we may be associating withAmerica in getting some technology, but we follow an independent policy. Itold them while we are talking sanctions and you are questioning onsanctions, President Vladimir Putin and Mr. Narendra Modi, at thisjuncture, are signing the treaty on purchase of S-400 weapon system inspiteof the fact that we may face challenges from America in the future, theArmy Chief said. Rawat said India was looking forward to procuring Kamovhelicopters and other weapon systems and technology from Russia.
He said New Delhi was looking to get space based systems and technologiesfrom Moscow to enhance its space capabilities. There is no end in sight tothe manner in which we can cooperate with your country. I think the wayforward is to see what is best for the nation, strategically important forus, he had said.
