‘Sanctions Not Designed to Harm Friends’, but India Will Have to Make Choice on S-400, US Envoy Says

‘Sanctions Not Designed to Harm Friends’, but India Will Have to Make Choice on S-400, US Envoy Says

Since America considers India a major defence partner, the Narendra Modi government was hoping to receive an exemption from US sanctions over the acquisition of five S-400 units. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 in an attempt to secure its borders from enemies.

US law which gives the administration authority to slap strict sanctions on countries which have done deals with Russia about buying defence hardware was not formulated to punish friends and allies, but New Delhi must decide whether to extend its co-operation with Washington, US envoy to India Kenneth Juster said on Tuesday.