India, which plans to push ahead with an $5 billion air-defence missile deal with Russia despite the threat of US sanctions, will point out that the US has a law that offers a way out, sources said. New Delhi’s stance will be made clear to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who would reach New Delhi tonight, sources said.
“We have a longstanding defence relationship with Russia which we cannot wish away,” a person with direct knowledge of the matter told NDTV.
India has been buying military hardware from Russia for decades, and mass manufacturing them as well under licence. The $5 billion deal is for the S-400 Triumf long-range missile, which the US considers a threat. The S400 Triumf can hit targets up to 400 km, making it one of the world’s most lethal surface-to-air missiles.Read More…