The stage is set for the US to waive the sanction on India’s purchase of a Russian S-400 air defense system.

On the eve of India-China talks on Sunday, July 17, the US House of Representatives has passed a landmark amendment that will provide an exemption to India under the Countering America’s Adversaries Act through Sanctions or CAATSA.

The amendment was drafted and introduced by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna. It received a majority of 330 to 99. In the next step it will now go to the Senate and then to the office of US President Joe Biden before it is applied.

Has the exemption been granted?

No. Not yet. Much is missing, “explained a senior official

It is only an amendment that has been approved in the House of Representatives and that has “urged” the Biden administration to grant the exemption. This does not mean that it has been granted.

Who can grant the exemption?

Only the US President is the final authority to grant the CAATSA waiver.

The amendment that has prompted the Biden administration to grant a waiver under the CAATSA is not a bill that has to be voted on and then signed into law.

What is CAATSA?

It was signed under President Donald Trump into federal law in 2017. And it allows the United States to punish countries that conduct significant transactions with countries like Iran, Russia, and North Korea.

Meaning of the suggested amendment

Once the amendment is made, it will deepen US-India ties and, in an effort to deter China, will also urge the Biden administration to help give India the waiver.

What did Rep. Khanna say?

He said: “USA. it must support India in the face of increasing Chinese aggression. As Vice Chairman of the India Caucus, I have been working to strengthen the partnership between our countries and ensure that India can defend itself along the Sino-Indian border.”

The amendment was drafted and introduced by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna. He received a majority of 330 to 99

“This amendment is of the utmost importance, and I am proud that it will pass the House on a bipartisan basis.”

Defense cooperation potential between India and Latin America

In suggesting the amendment, he sees a strong US-Indian partnership as critical to advancing US interests in the Indo-Pacific.

The partnership between the two countries must be further strengthened as threats in the Indo-Pacific region increase and will send an unequivocal signal that sovereignty and international law must be respected.

The US gaze: China’s growing belligerence and India’s defense on Russian platforms

During debates in the US House of Representatives it was recognized that issues related to China and reliance on Russian platforms must be taken into account and that the Biden administration must take steps that encourage India to move away from teams and Russian platforms.

The CAATSA waiver will be important and beneficial to both countries, according to the House of Representatives, which has sought a transition period to deter aggressors in light of the growing partnership between China and Russia.

India, CAATSA and S-400

For India it has been a matter of concern ever since India and Russia had signed a $4.5 billion deal to buy five units of S-400 Triumf “SA-21Growler”, which is a surface-to-air missile system. (SAM), at the end of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Under section 231 of the CAATSA, around 39 Russian entities are on the list, which invites sanctions. Major defense companies including: Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, Rosoboronexport, Sukhoi Aviation, Almaz-Antey Air and Space Defense Corporation JSC – the company behind the S-400 system.

The CAATSA idea

It was mainly to punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its alleged role in the US election in 2016. And it was first imposed on NATO-allied Turkey for its purchase of the Russian S-400 system.

Last year, a CAATSA sanction was imposed on the Chinese Equipment Development Department (EDD), under the Ministry of Defense of that country, for the purchase of 10 Russian SU-35 fighters in 2017 and S-400 equipment in 2018. .

Under section 231 of the CAATSA, around 39 Russian entities are on the list, inviting sanctions

So far the United States has not imposed it on India. This year there were reports that the Biden administration was going to make a decision.

Military trade between India and the US

Military trade between the US and India, as reported by the Financial Express Online, has reached $20 billion and is expected to rise once two major deals are signed soon, including Predator drones for the Navy. India.

India is seen as a close and important ally of the United States in its efforts to control China’s growing presence in the region and beyond. India is already part of the QUAD and the West Asia QUAD.

Note: The article was originally published in English in the Financial Express, and its reproduction in Spanish is made with the direct authorization of the author. Link to original article: https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/stage-set-for-the-us-to-waive-off-sanction-on-indias-purchase-of-russian-s-400-air-defence-system/ 2595589/