India ‘Embraces’ Triumf: Defying Fear of US Sanctions, $5 Billion-Deal With Russia For S-400 Defence System Inked

India has reportedly signed the $5 billion-deal with Russia to procure the S-400 Triumf air defence system. The significant part of the deal is that it is being signed at a time when the President of Russia Vladimir Putin is on a visit to India. Putin landed in India on Thursday (4 October) and was greeted by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj.

The signing of the deal can have implications on India-US relations at a time when the relationship between the two countries is at an all time high.

US has imposed various sanctions on Russia in the past years and India by signing the deal has risked US sanctions on it. According to the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) legislation US can impose sanctions on countries having “significant transactions” with Russia, North Korea or Iran.

The S-400 is one of the most advanced missile defence system with a range of 380 km which can take down enemy aircraft in the sky from the surface. India wants the system in order to secure its position in the region and outmatch the level of strategic force its neighbours like China and Pakistan hold.