USA’s waiver of sanctions for India under CAATSA

• US House of Representatives passed legislation to waive sanctions under CAATSA on India for purchasing Russian S-400 missile defence systems.

Significance of waiver

• Reflects a strong bilateral bond in changing global geopolitics.
• Paves way for India to buy an S-400 missile defence system from Russia.
• Shows that US appreciates India’s growing role in global politics.

Rationale behind the waiver

• National interests led India-Russia relations
• Lower costs
• Time-tested weapon systems
• Reliability
• Need to stand by India in the wake of growing Chinese aggression.
• China’s territorial hegemony
• Military modernisation and expansion
• Emergence as global superpower

India’s Policy

• Followed an independent foreign policy
• Defence acquisitions are guided by its national security interests.
• India relies on Russian-built weapons for its national defence.

Conclusion

• USA should take steps to encourage India to accelerate its transition from Russian-built weapons and defence systems.

Prelims take away

• Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)
• S-400 missile defence system