The United States lawmakers have recently been expressing their support for a sanctions waiver for India from the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). This comes as a response to India’s 5.43 billion USD deal with Russia for the S-400 Triumf missile system, signed in October 2018. The deal was made despite opposition from the US and potential sanctions under CAATSA. From November 2021, India is expected to start receiving deliveries of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia.
Understanding The US’ CAATSA
Implemented in 2017, CAATSA is a federal law in the United States that grants the President the power to sanction persons involved in significant transactions with Russian defence and intelligence sectors. The ultimate goal of this Act is to prevent revenue from being directed toward the Russian Government. Apart from Russia, CAATSA also targets Iran and North Korea.
There are twelve types of sanctions contained within CAATSA, two of which are likely to impact either India-Russia relations or India-US relations. The prohibition of banking transactions could potentially make payments to Russia for the S-400 systems challenging for India. The export sanction, on the other hand, threatens to derail the India-US Strategic and Defence partnership by denying licenses for and exports of items controlled by the US.
In 2018, the power to waive sanctions on a case-by-case basis was granted to the US President.
Russia’s S-400 Triumf Missile System
Designed by Russia, the S-400 Triumf is a mobile Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) system. Hailed as the most operationally deployed Modern Long-Range SAM (MLR SAM) globally, it even surpasses the US’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defensive system.
The S-400 includes a multi-function radar, autonomous detection and targeting systems, anti-aircraft missile systems, launchers, and a command and control centre. It can fire three types of missiles to create a layered defence and can engage all types of aerial targets in its 400km range, reaching altitudes up to 30km.
India’s acquisition of this system is of vital importance in countering attacks in a potential two-front war, including challenges from high-end F-35 US fighter aircraft.
India-US Defence Cooperation
In 2005, Both countries signed the ‘New Framework for India-US Defense Relations,’ which was renewed for another ten years in 2015. The USA recognised India as a Major Defence Partner in 2016, allowing India to receive advanced and sensitive technologies on par with the US’s closest allies and partners.
Moreover, the two nations have entered into various important defence pacts over the past few years and formalised the formation of the QUAD alliance (India, US, Japan, and Australia).
India’s military currently uses several pieces of US equipment such as Indian Air Force’s C-17 heavy-lifters, Apache attack helicopters, and C-130J special operations aircraft. They also undertake various defence exercises together like the Malabar exercise, Yudh Abhyas, Cope India, and Vajra Prahar.
Moving Forward
Russia has always viewed India as a balancer and facilitated India’s inclusion in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the formation of a Russia-India-China (RIC) group. Leveraging its favourable relations with all great powers is crucial for India to contribute to the establishment of a peaceful global order.
Defence procurement for India has gained significant importance amid escalating tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). With Russia being a reliable defence partner, India must carefully balance its relations with both Russia and the U.S. to protect its national interests. This also involves forging closer ties with the United States to counter any strategic alliance between China and Russia.