New Delhi, October 5: After India signed the long pending S-400-Triumf air defence system deals worth $5 billion with Russia today, the United States (US) has clarified that Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is framed to impose costs on Russia for its malign behaviour and to damage the military capabilities of allies.

Jinnie Lee. Spokesperson of US Embassy said, “Intent of our implementation of CAATSA is to impose costs on Russia for its malign behaviour, including by stopping the flow of money to Russia’s defence sector. CAATSA is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of our allies or partners.”

Lee further added that the waiver authority was not for a blanket waiver, but It was transaction-specific. “There are strict criteria for considering a waiver. Waivers of CAATSA section 231 will be considered on a transaction-by-transaction basis. We cannot prejudge any sanctions decisions,” reported news agency ANI quoting the US spokesperson.

During Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-visit to India India signed S-400 Triumf Missile deal among other deals. Putin finalised the deal expected to give a boost to the Indian defence system. Russian President Vladimir Putin was in India as part of the 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit.  India is also planning to buy 4 Krivak-class frigates from Russia, two of which will be built in India, which will be a $2.5 billion deal.

Since the beginning, India had clarified its stand on the S-400 deal and conveyed a stern message to the US regarding the deal. Earlier in July, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while taking a dig at the CAATSA, said that it was an American law and not the United States law. CAATSA, which came into effect in January, mandates the Donald Trump administration to punish countries and entities engaging in a significant transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2018 07:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).