India's S-400 deal with Russia sanctionable, Senator urges US defence secretary Lloyd Austin to tell New Delhi
Washington/IBNS: US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has been urged by a senator to convey Washington's opposition against New Delhi's proposed purchase of Russian air defence system S-400 during his visit to India on Friday, said a Reuters report.
Austin's visit to India as a top member of the Biden administration is aimed at deepening the US-India security ties.
His visit comes as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between countries of Quad, a grouping of Japan, India, Australia and United States to deter China's growing assertiveness.
Quad's first summit was held on Friday last when the member countries pledged together to work for a free and open Indo-Pacific and to cooperate on maritime and cyber security in the face of challenges from China, stated the report.
During Austin's visit, the two sides will discuss the purchase of armed drones and over 150 combat jets for the air force and the navy from the United States to help narrow the gap with China, according to the report.
The report said that US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Menendez, urged Austin to inform India officials of the Biden administration's opposition to the deal.
Making a reference to the law called Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in a letter to Austin, Mendez wrote, "If India chooses to go forward with its purchase of the S-400, that act will clearly constitute a significant, and therefore sanctionable, transaction with the Russian defense sector under Section 231 of CAATSA.
"It will also limit India's ability to work with the US on development and procurement of sensitive military technology. I expect you to make all of these challenges clear in conversations with your Indian counterparts."
US companies Lockheed and Boeing are at the forefront in the competition to grab the multi-billion deal.
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