No decision yet on Caatsa over S-400 purchase, says US

The US has not made a "determination" yet on waiving any potential sanctions on India with regard to its purchase of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia, the State Department said Tuesday even as it indicated that it may not take any steps to jeopardise bilateral defence ties.

The State Department comments come a week after India started receiving the supplies of the S-400 missile defence system from Russia and amidst calls from top Republican and Democratic Congressman asking not to impose sanctions on India.

"We would need to refer you to the Indian government for any comments on potential deliveries of the S-400 system. But we have been clear when it comes to the system, not only in the Indian context but more broadly as well, that we have urged all of our allies, all of our partners to forego transactions with Russia that may risk triggering sanctions under so-called Caatsa, the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. We have not made a determination on a potential waiver with respect to Indian arms transactions with Russia," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said.


"Caatsa, however, does not have a blanket or country-specific waiver provision attached to it. We also know that our defence relationship with India has expanded and deepened significantly in recent years," he said.