External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his visit to Washington, defended India’s right to buy a missile defence system from Russia despite the threat of sanctions from the United States.
Jaishankar said India was discussing the US concerns but declined to forecast the ultimate decision on the fate of the S-400 purchase from Russia.
“We have always maintained that what we buy — the sourcing of military equipment — is very much a sovereign right,” he told reporters ahead of a meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
“We would not like any state to tell us what to buy or not to buy from Russia any more than we would like any state to tell us to buy or not buy from America,” he said.
“That freedom of choice is ours and we think it’s in everybody’s interest to recognize that,” he said.
India last year agreed to buy five S-400 systems for $5.2 billion, and Russia has said that delivery is on track.
Under a 2017 law, the United States imposes sanctions against countries over “major” arms purchases from Russia due to Moscow’s military involvement in Ukraine and Syria and alleged meddling in US elections.
Jaishankar later met US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo in Washington.
The meeting has come at a time when New Delhi and Washington are in advanced stages of trade discussions aimed at reaching a trade deal soon.