PM Modi and President Putin (File image)

New Delhi: A day before Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in India for his two-day visit during which India and Russia are going to sign the deal for the procurement of the S-400 defence missile system from Moscow, the US on Wednesday warned its allies of possible American sanctions, should they enter into transactions with Russia. India has given indications in the past that it will purchase the multi-billion dollar defence system from Russia despite US’ threats.

Last month, the Donald Trump administration had imposed sanctions on China under Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA for buying fighter jets and missile defence system from Russia. CAATSA was signed into law last August. The CAATSA aims to counter Russia’s “malign activity” around the world.

When asked about India’s purported decision to purchase the S-400 Triumf defence missile from Russia, a State Department Spokesperson told PTI, "We urge all of our allies and partners to forgo transactions with Russia that would trigger sanctions under CAATSA.” He further said, “The Administration has indicated that a focus area for the implementation of CAATSA Section 231 is new or qualitative upgrades in capability - including the S-400 air and missile defence system.” With eye on S-400 Triumf missile deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin to arrive in India today

As per a report, India and Russia are set to sign the $5 billion deal for the S-400 surface-to-air missile system this week. Putin, who is visiting New Delhi on October 4-5 for the annual India-Russia summit, will oversee the signing of the crucial deal, a top Kremlin aide reportedly said.

Last month, a senior official of the Trump administration had said that the purchase of a major military system such as the S-400 deal would be regarded as a “significant transaction and thus has a potential" for CAATSA sanctions.



