India has independent policy: Rawat on S-400

New Delhi, October 7 

Amid fears of US sanctions over the S-400 deal with Russia, Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Sunday asserted that India follows an independent policy and was also keen on getting the Kamov helicopters and other weapon systems from Moscow.

India and Russia on Friday signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to procure the S-400 Triumf air defence system, which could attract sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).  The Act is primarily aimed at countering Russia, Iran and North Korea.

India and Russia concluded the deal notwithstanding the US warning that it would be a “focus area” for it to implement punitive sanctions against a nation undertaking “significant” business deals with the Russians.

Gen Rawat, who returned on Saturday after a six-day visit to Russia, held talks with military officials of that country to enhance bilateral cooperation. He said the Russians were keen on associating with the Indian Army and defence forces. “Because they do understand that we are a strong Army, capable of standing up for what is right for us, based on our strategic thought process,” he said.

The Army chief was speaking at the Gen KV Krishna Rao Memorial lecture here. On his Russian visit, Gen Rawat recalled a question posed to him by a Russian officer that India seemed to be looking westwards at America and that the US has also threatened to impose curbs on New Delhi for dealing with Moscow. To this, Rawat said,  “You (Russia) can be rest assured (that) while we may be associating with America in getting some technology, but we follow an independent policy.

He said New Delhi was looking to get space-based systems and technologies from Moscow to enhance its space capabilities. — PTI