Topics covered:
- Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)
What to study?
For Prelims: About s- 400 missile systems, CAATSA- provisions and brief overview.
For Mains: Issues associated and how CAATSA would affect India- Russia bilateral relations.
Context: The U.S. officials have warned India that with the decision to go ahead with the purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system, India may risk sanctions under CAATSA law.
What is CAATSA?
Enacted in 2017, it is a US federal law that imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea and Russia.
Includes sanctions against countries that engage in significant transactions with Russia’s defence and intelligence sectors.
The Act empowers the US President to impose at least five of the 12 listed sanctions on persons engaged in a “significant transaction” with Russian defence and intelligence sectors.
What is S-400?
It is an air defence missile system that can take down enemies’ aircraft in the sky from the surface itself.
It is known as Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defence system, capable of destroying destroying hostile strategic bombers, jets, missiles and drones at a range of 380-km.
Why does India want S-400?
S-400 would be like a “booster shot” in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) arm. India needs to be well-equipped against neighboring threats. Pakistan has over 20 fighter squadrons, with upgraded F-16s, and inducting J-17 from China in large numbers. China has 1,700 fighters, including 800 4-Gen fighters.
Sources: the hindu.
