Islamabad
The war hysteria of the Narendra Modi regime is pushing India towards US sanctions as it shows stubbornness over S-400 air defence systems deal with Russia, to counter China.
The United States has made it clear that India was unlikely to get a waiver on its planned acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems and any such move could make the country face sanctions similar to those imposed on Turkey for buying that equipment, Reuters reported.
According to the news agency, the Trump administration has been telling the Indians to drop the $5.5 billion deal for five missile systems and avoid a diplomatic crisis.
The US said New Delhi did not have a wide waiver from a 2017 US law aimed at deterring countries from buying Russian military hardware. The policy may remain unchanged even after Biden administration takes charge next week that had rather promised an even tougher US approach towards Russia.
The Indian government viewed that they needed long-range surface-to-air missiles to counter the threat from China as both countries had been locked in a face-off on the disputed Himalayan border since April.
New Delhi has also affirmed its right to choose its defence supplies, potentially setting up an early point of friction with the new US administration.
“India and the U.S. have a comprehensive global strategic partnership.
