Expert: "Sanctioning S-400, the US pushes India into Russia's arms"
India is well aware that signing the S-400 system will face a reaction from the US. However, the country has said that buying weapons from Russia is in India's interest and CAATSA is US law and not international law.
The S-400 Triumf missile defense system is located in the Moscow region (Russia). Photo: Sputnik.
Responding to India's purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defense system, President Donald Trump announced that the country would take strong measures under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).
However, experts say that any sanctions by Washington against New Delhi will have a significant impact on bilateral relations between the two countries.
“This will put a big question mark on the already rocky US-India relationship. In fact, it will be counterproductive and will only push India closer to Russia,” Amit Cowshish, former finance adviser (for military procurement) of the Indian Ministry of Defense, told Sputnik.
It is known that India is well aware that signing to buy the S-400 systems will face a reaction from the US. However, this country has spoken out that buying weapons from Russia is in India's interest and CAATSA is US law, not international law.
“When the Russians asked me about the US sanctions, I replied, ‘Yes, we are well aware that there may be sanctions. But we follow an independent policy. You can rest assured. Although we may have links with the US in terms of technology development, we follow an independent policy.’” - Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said.
“India will have to live with the embargo. It will look for alternative solutions to meet its defense requirements. In terms of fighter aircraft, Russia, France and Sweden will help India as they have done in the past,” Cowshish said.
