India’s decision to buy Russian anti-aircraft weapons might jeopardize a landmark defence cooperation agreement with the United States, senior Republican senators warned this week. The decision might impact the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement or COMCASA and the security and intelligence…
India’s decision to buy Russian anti-aircraft weapons might jeopardize a landmark defence cooperation agreement with the United States, senior Republican senators warned this week.
The decision might impact the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement or COMCASA and the security and intelligence-sharing agreement that was signed in September 2018.
Background
India – US relations have experienced many ups and downs and coped with serious differences on a number of bilateral, regional and strategic issues, mostly caused by the changing international scenario and the personality and the priorities of the top leaders.
In 1954, the US made Pakistan a member of CENTO and SEATO which forced India to cultivate strategic and military ties with the Soviet Union to counter the US- Pakistan ties. In 1961, India became the founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement to avoid involvement in the Cold War power play between US and Soviet Union. Indian foreign policy has adapted to the unipolar world.
India and US governments have differed on a variety of regional issues ranging from India’s cordial relations with Iran and Russia to foreign policy disagreements relating to Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Analysis
India’s decision to continue buying oil from Iran after November 4 and the purchase of S-400 Triumf air defence system from Russia is “not helpful” and the US is reviewing it “very carefully”, the State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said. Iran and Russia are subject to US Sanctions.
India may not receive the presidential waiver from the US for its S-400 missile defence system deal with Russia. According to Florida Rep. Ted Yoho, India was strengthening the hand of a country that does not align with it politically and philosophically. He said India will have to decide and that it cannot have an alliance in both countries with competing interests. India’s decision to buy Russian anti-aircraft weapons threatens to jeopardize a landmark defence cooperation agreement with the United States, warned senior Republican senators this week.
India has also signed the COMCASA deal with the US for sensitive military equipment and real-time intelligence sharing with India. “Getting India on board with COMCASA is a significant development that enhances our security cooperation with an important regional partner,” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn said.” India should not undercut this progress by triggering provisions of U.S. law passed with strong bipartisan support in Congress.” Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat explained that India follows an independent policy.
The US is also trying to cut off all oil imports from Iran and has given a November 4 deadline. Indian Oil Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed that two state refineries have place orders for 9 million barrels of crude from Iran in November. The Trump administration has given the same message to all countries around the world, and the president has said that the United States is committed to re-enforcing all of its sanctions. In May, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said: “India follows only UN sanctions and not unilateral sanctions by any country.”
Counterpoint
India has a history of nonalignment dating back to the Cold War when it refused to partner directly with the United States or the Soviet Union. In that era, India also developed a heavy reliance on Soviet military equipment that has necessitated an ongoing relationship with the Russian defence industry.
Assessment
Our assessment is that India has a long-standing policy of non-alignment which was recently expressed by the Prime Minister when he noted that India does not pick favourites when it comes to foreign policy. The price the US is seeking from India is on its foundational defence agreements. The Iran sanctions have also hindered the Chabahar project, which is strategically important to India and will establish an advantage over neighbouring countries like Pakistan.
We believe that India may have to take a position that suits its best national interest when there are competing interests in the region especially when it is important to stifle the potential threat of Chinese aggression in the region.
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