Times of Islamabad

US gives a strong blow to India over expected waiver on Russian S – 400 air defence system

US gives a strong blow to India over expected waiver on Russian S – 400 air defence system

The United States has made it clear that India is unlikely to get a waiveron its planned acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems.

A US embassy Spokesperson in New Delhi said that the United States is awareof reports of India’s planned purchase of the S-400s.

He said any such move could make the country face sanctions similar tothose imposed on Turkey for buying that equipment.

The Spokesperson said the US has not made any waiver determinations withrespect to Indian transactions with Russia.

The Trump administration has been telling the Indians to drop the 5.5billion dollars deal for five missile systems and avoid a diplomatic crisis.

A specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies inWashington Richard Rossow said there is a narrow chance that India canavoid sanctions, presuming the S-400 purchase is completed. He said at themoment, it’s a good bet that sanctions will be applied against India.