With eye on China, US thinks twice about sanctioning India for Russian missile system

After Biden talked of stronger ties, there are indications Washington may reconsider tough stance on New Delhi’s US$5.5 billion deal for S-400 Triumf system

US may have concluded that upsetting a friend in the Indo-Pacific was not worth the risk after controversial Aukus alliance and exit from Afghanistan

Reading Time:4 minutes

A Russian S-400 Triumf surface-to-air missile system in Red Square, Moscow. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:33pm, 7 Oct 2021Updated: 8:54pm, 8 Oct 2021

Just days after US President Joe Biden hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House and said the two countries were “destined to be stronger, closer and tighter”, what might be the first signs of that new relationship have come into view.

In the first such signal to New Delhi, visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman indicated on Thursday that Washington might reconsider slapping sanctions on the Indian government when New Delhi takes delivery of five Russian-built S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile systems in a US$5.5 billion deal later this year.

Speaking on the first day of her two-day visit to India, Sherman said that while it was “dangerous” for countries to use the Russian missile system, the United States was unlikely to act harshly against New Delhi.

“We want to be very thoughtful about the ways ahead and discussions between our countries try to solve problems. I hope we will be able to in this instance as well,” Sherman said.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman. Photo: TNS

Sherman’s statement was in contrast to Washington’s tough stance so far.

There has been unease in Washington ever since 2016 when India announced the deal with Russia, which remains New Delhi’s biggest defence partner.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x