US senators urge Joe Biden to avoid India sanctions over Russian missile systems deal

Name: Talking Post: Kevin Rudd unpacks the risk of war between China and the US with Yonden Lhatoo
Uploaded: 2021-10-27T14:54:20.000Z
Duration: 23 min 20 s
Description: Talking Post: Kevin Rudd unpacks the risk of war between China and the US with Yonden Lhatoo

India signed a US$5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five of the surface-to-air missile systems for defence against Pakistan and China

Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Mark Warner called for a waiver on the grounds of national security and broader cooperation

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The Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launching system is displayed at an exhibition near Moscow. File photo: AFP

Reuters

Published: 10:54pm, 27 Oct 2021Updated: 1:46am, 28 Oct 2021

Two US senators have urged President Joe Biden to waive sanctions against India over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defence system, saying such a punitive measure would endanger growing cooperation.

India signed a US$5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five of the surface-to-air missile systems for defence against long-time adversary Pakistan, and China, with which it is locked in a stand-off on their disputed border.

The proposed transfer has caused friction with the United States, which passed a law in 2017 under which any country engaged with Russia’s defence and intelligence sectors could face sanctions.

Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Mark Warner wrote to Biden on Tuesday calling for a waiver on the grounds of national security and broader cooperation.

“We believe there is a national security imperative to waiving sanctions,” the senators said in their letter.

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Talking Post: Kevin Rudd unpacks the risk of war between China and the US with Yonden Lhatoo

They said they were concerned the transfer of the Russian systems would trigger sanctions against India under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was enacted to hold Russia accountable for interfering in US elections, cyber hacking and bullying Ukraine.