New Delhi, May 31: India will go ahead with its deal to buy the S-400 Triumf air defence systems from Russia in spite of the United States concerns over the deal. A defence ministry officials on condition of anonymity told Hindustan Times that India will move forward with the deal to procure the most advanced air defence systems.

According to the officials, the defence ministry will approach the apex Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for approval to purchase S-400 air defence systems. India is likely to procure five units of Russian S-400. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the ministry has not received any instructions as of now to scrap the contract in the wake of the United States’ strong objection over the $5.5 billion deal with Russia. The Trump administration has already issued an indirect warning to India if it goes ahead with the deal to procure these air defence systems.

India and Russia have completed negotiations to close the deal. The CCS headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take the final decision. China is the first country to procure six battalions of S-400 air defence systems from Russia. In the past decade, Pakistan got the Russian RD-93 engines through China for JF-17 fighter jets. The defence ministry will think twice before scraping the deal with Russia, as this time also again Pakistan can get hold of these air defence systems through China.

William Thornberry, the powerful Chairman of the US House Armed Services Committee had raised objections over the deal. He said that India’s move would hinder the military ties between the two countries. According to Thornberry, concerns about India’s potential purchase of the S-400 have been conveyed to different levels of the US government.

The US had announced sanctions against Russia for its alleged involvement in meddling in the US presidential elections. Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) came into effect in January. Under CAATSA, The US will also impose sanctions against those countries having defence ties with Russia, North Korea and Iran.

India will take up the issue of purchasing S-400 missile system in the two-plus-two dialogue with the US. Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman will have discussions with US counterparts secretary of state Mike Pompeo and secretary of defence Jim Mattis on July 6 at Washington.

 

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 31, 2018 11:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).