Amid mounting pressure on India over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Pentagon has come out in open that the US discourages India from relying on Russia for its defense needs.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said, “We have been very clear with India as well as other countries that we do not want to see them relied on. Russia for defense needs. We are nothing but honest about it and discouraging him.”
It comes in view of the United States is imposing sanctions According to the news agency, Turkey has been charged under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for the purchase of a batch of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia. PTI report good.
In October 2018, India invited Russia to buy five units of the S-400 Triumph air defense missile system to enhance its air defence, despite warnings from the then Trump administration that it may be invited to go ahead with the contract. Signed an agreement worth USD 5 billion with US sanctions.
“At the same time, we also value the defense partnership with India. And as evidenced a week ago, we are looking at ways to move forward. This will continue because it matters and it is important, Kirby said.
“India is a security provider in the region and we value it,” Kirby said. US State Department Counsel Derek Chollett said on Thursday that the Biden administration is very much looking forward to working with India as it diversifies its defense capabilities and defense suppliers.
(with inputs from agencies)