New Delhi: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the US administration has “heard and understood” India’s deal to purchase S-400 missile defence system from Russia, AFP reported. PM Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin had signed a deal for the supply of S-400 Triumf missile system to India in October. The deal was signed despite a warning by the United States that it would impose sanctions on India if the agreement went through.
Under new US laws, countries that sign deals with Russian defence or intelligence sectors can face secondary sanctions. US President Trump’s administration had imposed sanctions on China’s military in 2018 over Beijing’s purchase of the S-400 and other military hardware from Russia. In an interview Sitharaman said Washington has taken into consideration that India, which shares borders with China and Pakistan, needs arms from Russia and others to remain a “strong partner”. “In the case of S-400 we have explained ourselves well… That has been heard and understood,” she said. “They have appreciated the point of view put forward.”
