Source:-Russia was the elephant in the room at first 2+2 Indo-US dialogue
As India and United States inked the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) allowing Indian platforms like warships to access data from US Satellites in New Delhi at the first 2+2 dialogue between India and United States of America, India- Russia defence ties and purchase of Russian hardware by New Delhi came for scrutiny as well.
In a statement issued after the meeting, US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said, “With respect to the S-400, no decision has been made. We are working to impose CAATSA Section 231 in a way that is appropriate and lawful and to exercise that waiver authority only where it makes sense.
And we, as the national security team, will work on that… as we continue to have these conversations with India about that, I think, we come to an outcome that makes sense for each of our two countries.”
In the backdrop of allegations of Moscow interfering with US elections and covert executive action in Europe to eliminate detractors of Russia, Washington recently enacted a law to counter Russia and its allies- Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The law provides for sanctions on countries that deal with Russia.
In the dialogue, United States is believed to have told New Delhi that it understands India’s need to continue with its Russian legacy in defence platforms for which spares need to be sourced from Russia.
US, however, did express its reluctance over India acquiring new defence platforms in Russia. India plans to buy a new missile defence shield from Moscow – S -400 to bolster its aging air defence capabilities.
The apparent reluctance on Washington’s part over new Russian defence platforms is despite a waiver to CATSA being extended to India, Vietnam and Indonesia.
New Delhi on its part told Washington that India needs to address its own security concerns and that Russian defence platforms acquired by India will not hamper India-US relations or US interests. “The wavier extended to CAATSA will have to be worked-upon by India,” a senior official aware of the discussions told India Today.
Besides, realpolitik, the Modi Government is clear that it needs to honour the long-standing India-Russia relations.
The “mid-term elections” in the US that will decide on who controls the US Congress also adds to Washington’s position on India’s continued -engagement with Russia on defence matters, sources said indicating that issue could be resolved with ease after the elections.
What COMCASA means for India?
The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) comes into effect immediately but will be limited only to US platforms in the stable of the Indian military – i.e. heavy transporters and special operations platforms like C-17,C-130 J aircraft respectively and the US made long range maritime surveillance -P8I.
These Indian platforms will have access to US satellites which will give India real-time pictures of movement of adversaries and help in targeting them. In another important development, India and US decided to exchange personnel for coordination and understanding. India will post its representative at Bahrain where the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) is located to coordinate with US.
Source:- India Today
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