US: Waiver to India against CAATSA sanctions
US House of Representatives passed an amendment, that approves waiver to India against CAATSA Sanctions.
Key Facts
- Amendment was passed by voice vote.
- It provides waiver to India, under CAATSA sanctions, to purchase S-400 missile defence system from Russia.
- US’s waiver is directed towards countering China.
- Amendment was passed during floor consideration of National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA).
About CAATSA Amendment
CAATSA amendment was prepared and introduced by Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna. The amendment asks the Joe Biden administration to provide waiver to India under CAATSA, in order to help deter aggressor countries like China.
What is CAATSA?
CAATSA stands for Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. The law authorises US administration to put sanctions on countries, which purchase major defence equipment from Russia. This act was passed in 2017, to respond against Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 as well as and Russia’s interference in the 2016 US presidential elections. US government are free to take punitive actions, under CAATSA, against countries involved in transactions with Russian defence & intelligence sectors.
India-Russia S-400 Deal
India and Russia had inked USD 5 billion deal, to purchase five units of S-400 air defence missile systems, even though US had warned India. S-400 is the most advanced long-range surface-to-surface air missile defence system of Russia. In previous instance, US has put sanctions on Turkey under the CAATSA, when it purchased a batch of S-400 missile defence systems from Russia.
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Month: Current Affairs - July, 2022
Category: International / World Current Affairs