Austin hints India's purchase of Russian missile system could trigger sanctions

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico


But the Pentagon chief said New Delhi has not yet acquired the S-400.

By LARA SELIGMAN

03/20/2021 10:16 AM EDT

NEW DELHI — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hinted during a visit to New Delhi on Saturday that India’s planned purchase of an advanced Russian missile system could trigger U.S. sanctions, but left room for New Delhi to back away from the deal.

“We certainly urge all our allies and partners to move away from Russian equipment … and really avoid any kind of acquisitions that would trigger sanctions on our behalf,” Austin said in response to a question from a reporter about India’s plan to acquire the S-400.

However, he stressed that Russia has not yet delivered the equipment to New Delhi. While Austin did discuss the system with his Indian counterpart, Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh, the two did not discuss potential sanctions, he said.

“We are aware of the fact that they have expressed interest in acquiring the system,” Austin acknowledged. But “they have not acquired an S-400 system yet, so there would be no reason for sanctions to be on the table.”



Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/20/lloyd-austin-india-sanctions-s400-missile-477304

[speak easy]

2. Why? Because India should have bought a U.S. system instead?

Enquiring defense industry donors want to know.

This is the same missile defense system Turkey bought, but unlike Turkey, India has never been a military partner. On the contrary, they have been buying MiGs for 5 decades.

Saudi Arabia bought the S-400. Are they being sanctioned?

I'm thinking the U.S. does not have competitive hardware this area so it's playing the bully.

[Mysterian]

6. Because the US does not want democratic allies relying on an enemy dictatorship

for spare parts? Just a guess.

[paleotn]

8. The deal isn't finalized with Saudi and probably never will be.

They're interested in the F-35 and don't want to end up like UAE and get cut off from Gen5 US aircraft. Turkey bought the S-400 and got dumped from the F-35 program, since the S-400 can also serve as a Russian intelligence platform. Want to know how the F-35 looks and acts in the S-400 command and control system? Easy. Just go service Turkey's SAMs and there you have it. If India has any interest in US Gen5 aircraft, the S-400 must be off the table. Period. End of transmission.

[speak easy]

12. It's not the F-35s the U.S. is worried about.

[ironflange]

10. U.S. system is probably too expensive

[speak easy]

11. I think the Saudis have deep pockets :)

The bought the S-400.

[rickyhall]

3. Is the cold war back on officially? Just asking...

[speak easy]

4. India is a valued member of 'the quad' ?

Hey boy's it's a like like NATO - do as you're told.

[paleotn]

9. Never ended.

And won't end if Russia remains a threat to US allies and interests.

[samsingh]

5. India has had a long standing relationship with first the Soviet Union and then Russia

this was after Kissinger adopted a policy to arm Pakistan as they were willing to at least pretend to do what the US wanted. India, being a Democracy was more difficult to control, so the USA sent arms and money to Pakistan. India needed the support of a superpower and that's where the Soviet Union came in as a countermeasure. Its ridiculous now to expect India to ignore Russia completely from a long standing partnership level.

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2016/11/the-flaw-in-kissingers-grand-strategy/507680/