During his 3-day Washington tour, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar maintained that military purchases are an internal matter and a sovereign right. India has recently decide to purchase S-400 missiles from Russia and the EAM has maintained that the purchase will have no impact on Indo-US relations.
Crux of the Matter
India had formalised the purchase of 5 S-400 missile systems from Russia in 2018. The deal is worth $5.43 billion.
Since 2017 USA has been imposing sanctions on countries with major arms deals with Russia. Turkey has faced sanctions for the purchase of the same missile systems.
The Indian EAM maintained that what India buys will not be affected by any other country’s foreign policies and that the S-400 deal won’t be changed.
Jaishankar has explained the Indian stance to his US counterparts and expects them to co-operate.
Curiopedia
The S-400 Triumph is an anti-aircraft weapon system developed in the 1990s by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau as an upgrade of the S-300 family. It has been in service with the Russian Armed Forces since 2007. In 2017 the S-400 was described by The Economist as “one of the best air-defence systems currently made”. The S-400 is expected to be inducted into Indian service in October 2020. The United States had threatened India with sanctions over India’s decision to buy the S-400 missile defense system from Russia. More Info
Curated Coverage
Hindustan Times – Would not like any state to tell us: Jaishankar on S-400 purchase from Russia
Republic World – EAM S Jaishankar: ‘India has made its decision on purchase of S-400’
Outlook – US will sure understand India”s rational to buy S-400 from Russia: Jaishankar
NDTV – ‘India-US Ties On A Roll’, Grew Dramatically Over 20 Years: S Jaishankar
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