INDIA/RUSSIA/SANCTIONS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “India could soon be faced with the threat of US sanctions following a controversial $5 billion weapons deal with Russia, a move analysts say poses more of a headache for Washington than it does Delhi. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi finalized the deal, which will see India take possession of a high-tech S-400 missile defense system, during a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Indian capital New Delhi on Friday. The deal could potentially open India up to US sanctions under legislation known as Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The law, signed by President Donald Trump last August, is designed to punish Moscow for its ‘malign activities.’ Last month, the US imposed sanctions against China for its purchases of Russian military equipment, including the S-400, under CAATSA legislation…India’s purchasing of the Russian weapons system effectively forces the Trump administration to choose between punishing Delhi — and destroy the fledgling defense relationship — or granting the country an exemption, weakening the effect of the sanctions and opening up the US to accusations of favoritism.”
–Manveena Suri and Steve George, “India risks US sanctions following $5 billion Russia defense deal,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, October 4, 2018 8:07 am