The Russian envoy to India has said that the S-400 missile system deal is on track and there should be no apprehensions over the lingering US threat of sanctions. The S-400 weapon system is Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system.
Russian ambassador Nikolay Kudashev said on Wednesday that the two countries are committed to adhering to timelines and other obligations under the S-400 missile deal. He also dismissed the threat of sanctions that various US officials have mentioned from time to time.
Making his stand clear against likely American sanctions over the procurement of the weapons systems, he said that both India and Russia do not recognise such sanctions as they are "illegal tools" of "unlawful and unfair" competition and pressure.
News agency ANI quoted the ambassador as saying: “In Defence, Russia remains the leading Indian partner. Internationally, we are on the same page with regards to the issues of promoting strategic stability and international security.”
Kudashev added: "With regard to S-400 and broader agreements, both sides are committed to the agreed timelines and other obligations. This contract is being successfully fulfilled”.
India is under pressure from the US to not buy the S-400 weapon systems. It has also asked its other allies to not procure Russian equipment. Senator Robert Menendez, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had last month urged US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to take up the issue of the S-400 system with India on his visit to New Delhi. However, Austin said there was no discussion with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the S-400 missile system.
India had signed a $5.4 billion deal with Russia in October 2018, to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems and paid $800 million to Russia as part of the deal. Even in 2018, the Trump administration had warned India about imposition of sanctions if it went ahead with the deal.
India and Russia interact at a number of international platforms—the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the Russia India China grouping as well as the better-known Brazil Russia India China South Africa (BRICS). There has been some unhappiness in Russia over India joining the Quad, which Russia sees as an American grouping, and the recent focus on the Indo-Pacific.
The Russian ambassador added that the world should be free from "unilateral approaches, illegal sanctions, double standards" and interference in domestic affairs of sovereign states.
Kudashev said: "Together with India, we do not recognise bilateral sanctions as they are illegal tools of unlawful and unfair, should I say, competition, pressure and even blackmail. It was clearly stated by the two foreign ministers (Indian and Russian) in the course of their exchange." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had recently visited New Delhi to plan for the annual India-Russia Summit to be held later this year.
Russia and US relations have nosedived after the new American administration took charge in January this year. Russia recalled its Washington envoy after US President Joe Biden made disparaging remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin.
