India signs S-400 deal with Russia
New Delhi signs $5bn deal to buy one of the most advanced missile defence systems amid looming threat of US sanctions.
>India-Russia ties have received a boost with a $5bn deal that will see New Delhi buy an S-400 air defence system from Moscow despite looming threat of US sanctions.
>The deal to buy the long-range surface-to-air missile systems was signed between Russian and Indian officials during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi for an annual summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The sides welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 Long Range Surface to Air Missile System to India," a joint statement said on Friday.
>Manoj Joshi, a foreign policy expert, said the deal was "extremely significant" because of its capability of reaching targets "300km away". "It means India can take out an aircraft deep inside Pakistan or parts of Tibet. The prime targets are airborne early warning systems and electronic support aircraft which would have a multiplier effect on the capabilities the other side can field,' said Joshi from the Observer Research Foundation think-tank based in New Delhi. "It is also politically important in that it signals that India will not abandon Russia as a supplier because of US pressure."
>Under a new US law, purchase of Russian defence equipment invites sanctions, but New Delhi has pinned hopes on a US waiver. The law, known as the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), threatens to impinge on India's massive defence trade with Russia.
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