Washington, November 25, 2021 (PPI-OT):The United States has said it has not decided on a potential waiver for India’s arms transactions with Russia, especially of the S-400 missile defence system. India is also poised to sign a contract with Russia for the manufacturing of AK-203 rifles and will discuss future arms transactions during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit on December 6. The first-ever India-Russia two-plus-two summit of their defence and foreign ministers is also on cards.

US law countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), however, does not have a blanket or country-specific waiver provision. United States State Department spokesperson Ned Price denied that the Indo-US two-plus-two of defence and foreign ministers had been “shifted”.

“We have never announced a date for the 2+2. Of course, we’ve committed to it because we have a significant relationship with India, including its status as a major defence partner. But I can assure you that there will be an opportunity for a 2+2 before long,” he said. “But we’ve urged all our partners to forego transactions with Russia that may risk triggering sanctions under CAATSA,” he said.

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