India goes ahead with the purchase of missiles in Russia before the threat of sanctions from the United...
India goes ahead with the purchase of missiles in Russia before the threat of sanctions from the United States
The $ 5 billion deal was signed on Friday during a visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to the capital of India for an annual bilateral meeting. He and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not mention the agreement during a press conference, but a joint statement issued on their behalf confirmed that it had been done.
"The parties welcomed the conclusion of the contract for the supply of the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system to India," said the statement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India.
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The delivery of five of the systems, considered the best in the world, is expected for the next two years, according to an Indian government official. The agreement points to India's efforts to repair relations with Russia and keep its diversified arms suppliers.
"We have an incomparable relationship with Russia, which we will continue to consolidate," Mr. Modi said.
Washington has threatened to impose sanctions on those who make big deals with Russia's defense industry, for punish Moscow for trying to intrude in the US elections. India waits for a resignation, in recognition of its Growing importance in the geopolitical balance. The United States is trying to create in the region.
"The waiver authority is not for a general waiver. It's specific to the transaction, "said Jinnie Lee, spokeswoman for the United States Embassy in Delhi on Friday. There are strict criteria, he added, and "we can not prejudge any sanctions decision."
An exemption for India could raise doubts about the seriousness of Washington's campaign against Moscow. Just last month the Department of Equipment Development of China sanctioned by the United States. to buy Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets and Russian S-400 missiles.
In recent years, India has increasingly turned to the USA. for military equipment, including maritime patrol aircraft and attack helicopters.
But Russia has long been India's largest military supplier, accounting for 62% of its arms imports from 2013 to 2017, according to estimates from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, and 79% in the five years before. And India, which faces potential threats from Pakistan and China, is one of Russia's main clients. The nearly 2,000 million dollars in Russian weapons that it bought last year accounted for about 13% of Russia's world total, according to the Russian defense expert group CAST.
In an additional effort to tighten ties, India and Russia set a goal of $ 25 billion in overall bilateral trade by 2025, compared to $ 10 billion in 2017. Among the agreements signed on Friday, one of them asked that the two countries work together more closely in sectors such as railroads, fertilizers and energy, and a commitment from Russia to help India with a program of human space flights.
Write to Rajesh Roy in rajesh.roy@wsj.com
SOURCE LINK ERESVIRAL.COM https://www.beviral.online
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