Stay away from Russian equipment to avoid US sanctions-Austin

Visiting United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that India hasn't acquired the S-400 Russian missile system yet, so the issue of sanctions were not discussed. Austin told reporters in New Delhi on Saturday. "We have countries that we have worked from time to time that have required Russian equipment over the years. We certainly urge all our allies and partners to move away from Russian equipment... and really avoid any kind of acquisition that would trigger sanctions on our behalf," Austin said. General Austin said human rights and rule of law was important to the US. Austin said he and his Indian counterpart had discussed India's planned purchase of Russia's S400 air defence system, adding that Washington had asked all its partners to stay away from Russian equipment to avoid US sanctions

Austin is making the first visit by a top member of US President Joe Biden's administration to India as part of efforts to forge an alliance of countries seeking to push back against China's assertiveness in the region. India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 air defence missile systems in October 2018. The previous Trump administration had warned that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act or CAATSA.