Narendra Modi in Sochi: All you need to know about CAATSA that threatens to scupper PM’s Russia outreach

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to Sochi this week to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin, the threat of US sanctions loom large over the “informal bilateral talks”. Of particular interest will be US sanctions against Moscow that might impact Russian military supplies to India, especially an estimated Rs 40,000-crore deal to buy sophisticated long-range S-400 air defence system.

CAATSA

India and Russia signed an agreement in principle for the S-400 deal in 2016. However, the deal may now be seen through the lens of CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).

“CAATSA is a feature and we need to take it seriously. The (Trump) administration is always bound by US law. This is a US law. I’m hoping that not just India, but all of the partners that we engage with will understand that we will have to evaluate any potential large defence purchase from Russia seriously because that’s what the law demands of us,” Tina Kaidanow, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, was quoted by news agency PTIas saying.