EAM S Jaishankar: 'India has made its decision on purchase of S-400'

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, October 2 said, New Delhi has “made its decision” on purchase of S400 missile system from Russia and held a discussion in this regard with Washington. S Jaishankar’s comments come amid looming threat of United States sanctions over purchase.

S Jaishankar: "I am reasonably convinced of power of my persuasion"

External Affairs Minister participated in a conversation held at Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, as a part of his three-day nda in Washington. He was asked wher India is “willing to accept consequences” of US actions over purchase of land-based missile system. S Jaishankar replied, "India has made a decision on S400 issue and we have discussed that with US government. I am reasonably convinced of power of my persuasion. It would be my hope that people understand why this particular transaction is important for us,” he said.

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India had signed a USD 5.3 billion deal with Russia last year

Under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), US has imposed sanctions against arms purchases from Russia, alleging Moscow’s involvement in Ukraine and Syria. However, India had signed a USD 5.3 billion deal with Russia for purchase of S-400s during 19th India-Russia Annual Bilateral Summit in New Delhi on October 5, 2018. United States has indicated that Russian S-400 systems may trigger CAATSA sanctions. US has previously sanctioned China’s Equipment Development Department (EDD) for purchase of Russian S-400 missiles and Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, triggering a diplomatic confrontation between China and US. Turkey had also upset US by purchasing S-400 missiles.

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EAM S Jaishankar on India- US trade

S Jaishankar said most of trade disputes between India and US are 'resolvable in near term', as he ruled out pushing issue for next American administration. In an event organised by Carnegie Endowment for International Relationship think-tank, Jaishankar said foreign policy and priorities of Modi government is in tune with realities of a New India, which is currently fifth-largest global ecomy and is soon going to be third-largest. "Most of trade disputes (with US) are resolvable in near term," Jaishankar told audience in his first engment of his maiden trip to US capital as External Affairs Minister. He said Modi government wants to resolve Indo-US bilateral trade issue as early as possible and does t want to push it for next administration in US.

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(With ANI inputs)