India confident US cannot impose sanctions over S-400

India says it is confident it will avoid US sanctions over its purchase of Russia's S-400 missile system, which has become a lightning rod in American dispute with China and Turkey.

India's Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stressed in an interview with AFP that her country needed arms from Russia to remain strong. 

The US has warned of sanctions on countries buying Russian military equipment. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, defied the warning in October when he signed a deal worth more than $5 billion on the delivery of S-400 anti-aircraft missiles with President Vladimir Putin. 

Sitharaman said India has presented its reasons for the purchase to the US and expects Washington to accept them and avoid imposing sanctions on New Delhi. 

"In the case of S-400 we have explained ourselves well. That has been heard and understood. They have appreciated the point of view put forward," AFP quoted her as saying.

Asked if she was confident that India would avoid sanctions, Sitharaman said: "Yes I hope so." 

US President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on China’s military in 2018 over Beijing’s purchase of the S-400 and other military hardware from Russia.

The US is currently embroiled in a brewing dispute with Turkey and has warned the NATO member of sanctions for buying the S-400 after suspending Ankara's participation in the stealth F-35 jet program.

Washington has already cast scorn on New Delhi's efforts to obtain a waiver from the US Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) which monitors the S-400 system with a particular focus.

American officials have indicated that the US government is still hopeful to persuade India to forego the agreement.

SS