CAATSA...An Oxymoron?

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Jun 2018 03:19

https://twitter.com/sjha1618/status/101 ... 02562?s=21 —> With America unilaterally pulling out of the over-hyped 2+2 dialogue, the danger of India signing COMCASA has receded for the time being. But New Delhi must consign COMCASA to the dustbin on a permanent basis. This is the window of opportunity to do it.

kit · Post by **kit** » 28 Jun 2018 03:29

Rakesh wrote:I really hope the US imposes sanctions. Please do it!

exactly what I was saying .. that is what should happen. a good reality check for the Indian establishment

rgosain · Post by **rgosain** » 28 Jun 2018 03:37

kit wrote:
Rakesh wrote:I really hope the US imposes sanctions. Please do it!
exactly what I was saying .. that is what should happen. a good reality check for the Indian establishment

Similar set of sanctions that was used in 98 before and after POK2; if India goes ahead with the S400. Is this POK3 for the 21st century? Could provide a useful pretext

Rudradev · Post by **Rudradev** » 28 Jun 2018 03:50

It's coming. US canceled a long-planned 2 + 2 summit, scheduled for July 6, at the last moment (1 week's notice). With no postponement date proposed. "Unavoidable circumstances" was the reason given.

You don't leave the EAM and DM of a major country hanging, at such short notice, unless you want to make a point. In diplomatic terms this is a slap in the face of India.

krishna_krishna · Post by **krishna_krishna** » 28 Jun 2018 04:35

Rudradev wrote:It's coming. US canceled a long-planned 2 + 2 summit, scheduled for July 6, at the last moment (1 week's notice). With no postponement date proposed. "Unavoidable circumstances" was the reason given.

You don't leave the EAM and DM of a major country hanging, at such short notice, unless you want to make a point. In diplomatic terms this is a slap in the face of India.

+10000% , this is good for India in longer term. We will make people choose sides, with this all this bonhomie of start-e- gic partnership cr@p goes into some clouds and it will enforce again massa been unreliable partner and enemy in longer term which we can never trust.

All this gober gas of beca and comsa will go to a place hopefully where sun never shines. On a positive note :

1) EA ministry massa passand gang gets a big wake up call with danda
2) POK part 3 coming reality, surya ,Agni 6 ityadi open testing
3)S400 is coming
4) Iran oil is coming with chabahar port
5) Chinis will make peace for the time being or at lower level (no open hostilities, doklam etc.)
6) FATCA and other crap that MMS signed would be toothless
7) Nikki ben will also get a good welcome in south block with band , Baja and baraat
8] I see Pakfa coming, F Teens ain't gonna happen Jose
9) We see Cold War part duex with a vengeance and this time India would be on the winning side

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 28 Jun 2018 05:58

^^^ Expect lots of rhona-dhona when Amreeka imposes sanctions. The strategic thinkers who pushed the idea that scores of jobs would come via F-18/F-16 production and get the ball rolling on other sectors of the economy, strategic partnership with Amreeka, EMALS and nuclear power for Vishaal, strong counterpoint to China via arms from America, Vishaal influencing activities from Alaska in the west to east in the South China Sea, etc are now silent.

The Indo-US relationship will be damaged by sanctioning India over CAATSA and postponing the 2+2 meeting (yet again!). And the best part is America is the one making all the decisions. We are only supposed to blindly obey. Instead of a partnership, this is more like a relationship of a serf who must follow his feudal lord's commands. This is supposed to India's strategic partner vis-a-viv China!

America dangled the carrot, many folks (on BRF and elsewhere) got deluded and took the bait. Anyone who opposed the American grandiose design was viewed as being narrow minded. When you don't subscribe to their world view, you are narrow minded onlee!!!

Despite all the recent events, some are still spinning COMCASA as a good thing for India. With this kind of attitude, India does not need interoperability with US or her allies.

Lesson to be learnt is, America is never to be trusted. Their foreign policy makes it such. In the face of all this, we have to be idiots to even consider purchasing the F-16 or F-18 for the Indian Air Force. On another note, until the 2+2 meeting was cancelled, the push was for THAAD in exchange for dropping the S-400.

US may offer air defence system to block S-400 missile deal with Russia
http://www.defencenews.in/article.aspx?id=559093

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 28 Jun 2018 11:00

Must be a case of US demanding something from India and trying to arm twist to get it but we haven't agreed hence the last minute cancellation of meeting more of a slap and snub from US.

The two individual who came earlier from US got the same message for us and spoke to media what is the expectation from us.

We need to just stick to our own national interest and let US know we wont compromise on CAATSA or Cut of Oil Imports from Iran or dealing with them. If US can enforce its own national priorities and interest on others so should we.

nvishal · Post by **nvishal** » 28 Jun 2018 16:33

Indias defence ministerial post is for symbolism - a figurehead.

Ajit doval is the real deal. He was in russia in may 2018 when details about CAATSA had emerged. He has no plans to engage with the amercians.

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 28 Jun 2018 16:58

I am very thankful for this trump administration. What Ombaba would have done is some smart give and take policy to buy another day and lure us into their trap. We are much better this way on our own and as HHGTG said "so long and thanks for all the fish"

kit · Post by **kit** » 28 Jun 2018 18:02

If the Americans sanction India there is a golden chance to resume some nuclear tests .,maybe even a comprehensive series to get enough data for computer simulations for fusion weapons. They haven't given anything to India as part of nuclear deal anyway .

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 28 Jun 2018 21:12

nvishal wrote:Indias defence ministerial post is for symbolism - a figurehead.

Ajit doval is the real deal. He was in russia in may 2018 when details about CAATSA had emerged. The americans can't talk any real geopolitics with nirmala sitharaman because it is like talking to a wall - pointless. And ajit doval has no plans to engage with the amercians.

As said before, it is a strategic imperative for india to engage with the americans. The two women(swaraj and sitharaman) play the part in the facade.

-----------------

The meeting with the two women has been postponed by the americans and meanwhile, they have sent a women(haley) to india. The irony. The americans are playing along as well, so they do understand our geopolitical position.

nvishal in my earlier days I would ban you for misogyny and making gratuitous remarks.
These are totally uncalled for and suggest you edit tour post.
ramana

nvishal · Post by **nvishal** » 28 Jun 2018 23:41

ramana wrote:nvishal in my earlier days I would ban you for misogyny and making gratuitous remarks

Yes but, does misogyny cause anguish when you are in a terrain of realpolitik?

I've edited my post

krisna · Post by **krisna** » 29 Jun 2018 03:49

CAATSA and many other terminologies etc or whatever the name is -- I wish India can do the same on others.

Recall a question by our late president Dr kalam when he posed this- when do you call India a superpower.
One answer which many agreed was imposing your will on other country if it hurts India (something like that).
In current scenario only usa fits the bill.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 29 Jun 2018 11:25

krisna wrote:CAATSA and many other terminologies etc or whatever the name is -- I wish India can do the same on others.

Recall a question by our late president Dr kalam when he posed this- when do you call India a superpower.
One answer which many agreed was imposing your will on other country if it hurts India (something like that).
In current scenario only usa fits the bill.

If one reads through nikki haley's press and media interactions in India, she has delivered a naked threat to the Indian state in terms of being with the US or against the US.

It is virtually the same choice given to musharraf, in another time and place.

Where was the need to send the US ambassador to the UN to India??

Doesn't the SD have specific people and departments dealing with India specific matters??

Has the paid Indian media glossed over the message while concentrating more on a media friendly and glamorous "Indian origin messenger" who "made good" in the US??

Cain Marko · Post by **Cain Marko** » 29 Jun 2018 12:50

chetak wrote:
krisna wrote:CAATSA and many other terminologies etc or whatever the name is -- I wish India can do the same on others.

Recall a question by our late president Dr kalam when he posed this- when do you call India a superpower.
One answer which many agreed was imposing your will on other country if it hurts India (something like that).
In current scenario only usa fits the bill.
If one reads through nikki haley's press and media interactions in India, she has delivered a naked threat to the Indian state in terms of being with the US or against the US.

It is virtually the same choice given to musharraf, in another time and place.

Where was the need to send the US ambassador to the UN to India??

Doesn't the SD have specific people and departments dealing with India specific matters??

Has the paid Indian media glossed over the message while concentrating more on a media friendly and glamorous "Indian origin messenger" who "made good" in the US??

I'm not sure. One could very well say that there is a play being attempted by the Trump song with Putin and Haley was sent to soothe any misconceptions that might arise from the cancellation of 2+2. I'm not sure if China is apart of it. If hardly be surprised if Trump is trying to gather support from Rus and India to keep China in check. Note that he had at least somewhat shown measures to remove Noko from Chinese influence via not just the meeting but also by encouraging the soko embrace.

Interestingly, India's response so far seems too timid and one of acquiescence rather than one of discord. Which suggests that they are okay with what is happening. Bear in mind that India doesn't normally bow to to such pressure and the Iranian oil purchases continued in even the lameduck upi era.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 29 Jun 2018 13:50

Cain Marko wrote:
chetak wrote:
If one reads through nikki haley's press and media interactions in India, she has delivered a naked threat to the Indian state in terms of being with the US or against the US.

It is virtually the same choice given to musharraf, in another time and place.

Where was the need to send the US ambassador to the UN to India??

Doesn't the SD have specific people and departments dealing with India specific matters??

Has the paid Indian media glossed over the message while concentrating more on a media friendly and glamorous "Indian origin messenger" who "made good" in the US??
I'm not sure. One could very well say that there is a play being attempted by the Trump song with Putin and Haley was sent to soothe any misconceptions that might arise from the cancellation of 2+2. I'm not sure if China is apart of it. If hardly be surprised if Trump is trying to gather support from Rus and India to keep China in check. Note that he had at least somewhat shown measures to remove Noko from Chinese influence via not just the meeting but also by encouraging the soko embrace.

Interestingly, India's response so far seems too timid and one of acquiescence rather than one of discord. Which suggests that they are okay with what is happening. Bear in mind that India doesn't normally bow to to such pressure and the Iranian oil purchases continued in even the lameduck upi era.

This is just the response of the toilet choreographed by vineet jain. He has his own agenda in play and that agenda is patronage dependant and also patronage seeking.

I wouldn't go by the presstitute reports in the Indian DDM. They have no insights into the GoI thinking on this matter. The GoI has already shown that they can play poker with the best of them.

The amerikis will leak selectively if things do not go their way and that will have it's own fallout. It is to be noted that the ameriki ambassador in dilli is as quiet as a mouse in a room full of cats.

The rescheduling of the 2+2 is a message.

Who exactly was discomfited is yet to be seen.

Modi's recent meetings with Xi and Putin has unnerved the powers that be at foggy bottom, hence the big guns are being deployed in dilli.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Jun 2018 03:29

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1012254248686452736 ---> American weapons are not sold, you see, merely leased. With maximum safeguards for the seller (lessor) & no guarantees for the buyer (lessee).

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1012254932697780224 ---> There was a time when America used to fund Britain to install equipment that would also be used by the Americans. Today, America wants India to buy their equipment and still serve as eyes and ears for them via COMCASA.

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1012255927590940673 ---> And don't forget, given India's weapon import ethos, any Predator C/ Avenger import will end up having an impact on the prospects for our own domestic UCAV programmes. In any case, budgets are not unlimited.

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1012253234810052608 ---> Why do you think the US side has been so insistent that the Avenger sale can only happen if COMCASA is signed? Zimble, they want their own encrypted data links on these drones so that India basically pays for America to extend its own surveillance net.

https://twitter.com/SJha1618/status/1012596099675238400 ---> The gradual strategic emasculation of Britain in the post-War War 2 period should be studied by every chap who trots around terms like 'natural partnership' , 'alliance of democracies' etc. etc.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 30 Jun 2018 03:47

Why Postponing the New US-India Dialogue Matters
https://thediplomat.com/2018/06/why-pos ... e-matters/

Another reason for a quick rescheduling of the 2+2 dialogue is because of the CAATSA headache. Though New Delhi has diversified its defense trade partners, Moscow continues to dominate the Indian defense inventory to the tune of about 70 percent. Further, India’s plans to acquire important platforms including the S-400 air defense systems could run into serious problems.

Even as the CAATSA sanctions are not aimed at India, its security implications for India will be significant given the continuing Indian dependence on Russia for defense equipment. Congressman Joe Crowley, the House Democratic Caucus chairman recently ousted in a primary, while speaking at a U.S.-India Friendship event stated that CAATSA “is a serious issue that needs to be dealt [with]. There needs to be a dialogue between the U.S. and India. Our goal is not to sanction India.” He added that “understanding the needs that India has as a nation for self-defense as well … has to be taken into consideration.”

Given that the S-400 deal with Russia is an important one for New Delhi from a national security perspective, this is likely to be an issue at the 2+2 dialogue. Acknowledging this, Nisha Desai Biswal, the former assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia and the current president of the U.S.-India Business Council said, “It is something that we are all mindful of and looking at very very carefully. But I do think that we need to acknowledge and address the continuing importance for India of its relationship with Russia and how we how we manage the way forward on that issue.”

If the United States wants a strong India as its partner, Washington cannot come up with such blanket sanctions that might hamper its defense capacity-building. This could also increase some of the fears that the United States is not a credible and secure defense partner.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 01 Jul 2018 12:56

http://ajaishukla.blogspot.com/2018/07/ ... rders.html

Officials have hinted that New Delhi dropped out of the FGFA project at Washington’s nudging. Yet, Russia-related pressure continues, with new American legislation – “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (CAATSA) – threatening sanctions for buying weaponry from Russia, especially the S-400 air defence system that Moscow and New Delhi have signed an agreement for.

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 01 Jul 2018 13:45

^
Fake news par excellence.

1. How many years has the project been under discussion without making any progress as far as the Indian concerns/component/contribution is concerned?
2. Since when has IAF/HAL being expressing its disappointment with the way the FGFA project and its supposed derivative PAF-KA been progressing?

The two question from memory for I haven't followed this FGFA/PAFKA saga for years now. Years back we read that progress on the above 2 points was ghanta inspite of it being a supposed joint development with joint funding.

Kashi · Post by **Kashi** » 01 Jul 2018 13:48

Lobbyists and middlemen are jumping in the mix with their two bits. Perhaps sensing malaai in all the churning that's taking place.

SaiK · Post by **SaiK** » 02 Jul 2018 00:54

watch the fun I'd say.. and in the end, it is what it is.. we have proven what is our model in LCA. We will go after USA or Russia or France, no matter what the "realpolitick" is [@nvishal]. We will of course game play as things go, and it is within our mission goals to deliver to our security needs.

So, don't get worked up by CAATSA or cats claws.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 02 Jul 2018 10:35

India shrugs off US sanctions on Russia
http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation ... 13315.html

To prevent an adverse impact on India’s military readiness, the security establishment is clear that the US-imposed sanctions on Russia and the resultant threat of sanctions on India have to be ignored.

India’s military relations with Russia have to continue as usual. Military readiness literally depends on these relations, said sources.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 02 Jul 2018 10:45

So 2+2 meeting can be cancelled, but we still want to have Defence Minister Sitharaman visit Washington and meet her counterpart, Defence Secretary Mattis. So we will likely sanction you for S-400 purchase, but we still want you to buy our wares.

After 2+2 delay, India declines US offer to host Nirmala Sitharaman
https://indianexpress.com/article/india ... Sitharaman

According to the original plan, Sitharaman was slated to follow up the ‘2+2’ meeting on July 6 with a visit to the Pentagon and bilateral talks with US Defence Secretary James Mattis. After US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo became unavailable, the US Department of Defence suggested that Sitharaman continue with her scheduled visit. But the government was “keen to preserve the format” and declined the offer, sources said.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 02 Jul 2018 10:55

My goodness!!! What planet are these analysts at Observer Research Foundation on?

India’s hedging strategy is bound to fail
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ ... ound-fail/

There is also little indication that India is backing away from its security relationship with the US and its allies in the Indo-Pacific. Though these are not moving forward with any great speed — Australia is still out of the Malabar Exercise, India refuses to acknowledge the real security purpose behind the Quad, and US-India defence relationship is still limited by 1970s-style suspicions of even bureaucratic, low-level facilitation agreements such as COMCASA and BECA — India is not withdrawing from them either. And even the languid pace is not entirely out of character for Indian strategic policy.

On the other hand, India’s shift towards hedging will reduce the confidence of India’s potential partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific region. New Delhi worries about the constancy of its partners, but it should recognise that this is an equally valid concern for others. Any perception of India’s unreliability as a partner would make it difficult to build the Asian balance that New Delhi claims to want. For potential partners, India’s efforts to reach out to China will be seen as a signal of its lack of faith in building a balance against China. If India, the most capable regional balancer to China, is seen as reluctant, building an Asian balance will become that much more difficult.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 02 Jul 2018 11:07

Another gem from the same author, same website

India-US: A high maintenance relationship
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ ... ationship/

But the legacy of this strategic trait means that even after the US and India began building a strategic partnership, India was extremely sensitive about the nature of the relationship. India was the high-maintenance partner and the US has generally been much more careful and considerate.

Much of the overwrought commentary in New Delhi is an indicator of India’s continuing ultra-sensitiveness. But much of it also misses the wood for the trees. The logic driving the US-India relationship should be clear — their mutual fear of the impact of China’s rise.

The real worry for New Delhi should be about the US losing interest in balancing China and cutting a deal with it instead.

kit · Post by **kit** » 02 Jul 2018 11:54

maybe India should buy drones from China

nvishal · Post by **nvishal** » 02 Jul 2018 12:23

The Americans are in spot of their own doing

They do not have a clear China strategy. They cannot sanction India unless they are sure that they can handle China through plan b(ie, without India).

In April 2018, this declaration was made clear to the Americans.

These are three separate situations for the americans:

1) Pakistan - Cultivated to balance india. It went on to proliferate to Iran and disturb the middle-east balance

2) China - Originally cultivated as a balance to soviet after the 71 war. Fixed the technology gap and did a paki on the Americans.

3) North Korea - Got nukes recently coinciding with the rise of China. Aimed at evicting the Americans from Korea/Japan corridor.

Rakesh · Post by **Rakesh** » 04 Jul 2018 09:48

India must not surrender strategic autonomy to US
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion ... to-us.html

The recent visit to India of Nikki Haley, America’s India-origin permanent representative to the United Nations, can have only compounded the sense in New Delhi that the India-US relationship under President Donald Trump is not going to be smooth-sailing, and even Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose effort from day one in office has been to please Washington, cannot any more be in doubt on this score. In her public remarks and in a television interview, Ms Haley sought to underscore two points — the importance of religious tolerance in a democracy, and the importance to America that India downgrade its relations with its important neighbour Iran and stop buying oil from it. The point conveyed about religious tolerance is a direct hit at the Modi regime. President Barack Obama too had made the same point before departing New Delhi on his last trip here. However, this issue being underlined by the Trump administration is a bit rich. The US has obviously taken that path because it is quite certain that it can get away with it, given the domestic Indian record in the past four years. When the Modi regime has run its course, the religious question will appear far more balanced than it is today. But ties with Iran are a matter of strategic concern for India.

New Delhi needs to inform Washington straight out that it cannot let its Tehran ties, or for that matter relations with any country, be dictated by Washington. Way too much hangs by it. This country just cannot afford to surrender its strategic autonomy to any external power. It has not done so for 70 years and it cannot begin now. Dealing with a runaway Washington is not easy for even its traditional Nato allies — the Europeans, Japanese and Canadians. They are all learning this the hard way. So, there is no surprise if the Modi regime also gets a knock. The point, however, is how it responds to the Americans. Many will be watching this play — not least Iran, and also countries like China and Pakistan. Even in a multi-polar world, the US is the world’s most significant power — in military, political, technological, financial and knowledge terms. India must do what it can to be on genuinely friendly terms with it, but not by surrendering its self-respect. But, we must not harbour a victim complex unnecessarily. The failure of the planned meeting of the external affairs and the defence ministers of the two countries (the “2-plus-2” meet) to materialise on July 6 in Washington is due to exogenous reasons. No slight should be read into this. We should just look for other suitable dates.

Katare · Post by **Katare** » 04 Jul 2018 09:54

I wonder what would Chinese do? Would they stop buying Iranian oil and Russian weapons too? Massa overnight destroyed onecof the top telecom compnay of China by sanctions, eliminating Chinese wealth worth 10s of billions of dollars.

What, if any, option is available to any nation against this type of coercion ?

pankajs · Post by **pankajs** » 04 Jul 2018 09:58

Rakesh wrote:My goodness!!! What planet are these analysts at Observer Research Foundation on?

India’s hedging strategy is bound to fail
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ ... ound-fail/

ORF is all over the place. There was even an piece that suggested that India would be the biggest beneficiary of OBOR and hence should join it.

Even the the resident expert on all subjects Manoj Joshi is all over the place. One time he grudgingly admitted that it was better that India stay out of Maldives and then a few days later he seemed to suggest that India had lost the plot in Maldives.

I don't find any actual coherence in their ~~analysis~~ what substitutes for analysis. It is more like a bissing platform for malcontents to relieve the pressure.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 04 Jul 2018 16:32

pankajs wrote:
Rakesh wrote:My goodness!!! What planet are these analysts at Observer Research Foundation on?

India’s hedging strategy is bound to fail
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/ ... ound-fail/
ORF is all over the place. There was even an piece that suggested that India would be the biggest beneficiary of OBOR and hence should join it.

Even the the resident expert on all subjects Manoj Joshi is all over the place. One time he grudgingly admitted that it was better that India stay out of Maldives and then a few days later he seemed to suggest that India had lost the plot in Maldives.

I don't find any actual coherence in their ~~analysis~~ what substitutes for analysis. It is more like a bissing platform for malcontents to relieve the pressure.

You should factor in as to who is funding this gravy train.

chetak · Post by **chetak** » 04 Jul 2018 16:47

nvishal wrote:The Americans are in spot of their own doing

They do not have a clear China strategy. They cannot sanction India unless they are sure that they can handle China through plan b(ie, without India).

In April 2018, this declaration was made clear to the Americans.

These are three separate situations for the americans:

1) Pakistan - Cultivated to balance india. It went on to proliferate to Iran and disturb the middle-east balance

2) China - Originally cultivated as a balance to soviet after the 71 war. Fixed the technology gap and did a paki on the Americans.

3) North Korea - Got nukes recently coinciding with the rise of China. Aimed at evicting the Americans from Korea/Japan corridor.

The amerikis are operating very close to the han red lines. The hans themselves are somewhat preoccupied with their own slowing economy now.

The hans hold a humongous quantity of ameriki T bills and a sell off, even in a modest sort of way can cause a run on the US$, a run from which the amerikis may not be able to recover back to their current pre-eminent status because other strong currencies are eagerly waiting in the wings to dethrone the mighty US$ and this is a doomsday gamble from which few may emerge as winners.

A rampaging trump is not helping either.

ArjunPandit · Post by **ArjunPandit** » 04 Jul 2018 17:35

^^the implications of selling such large amount of Tbills in the market are going to be devastating,
their impact on USD exchange rates,
the USD interest rates,
and the corresponding impact on the tbill holdings of Hanland and of course the Hanland exports and their economy.

This thing is way more complicated than the mortgage market securitzation chain. Above all, It's a bone stuck in the throat of chinese, they can't swallow it and they can't spit it. Also, Its a narrative that is not actively countered in US media (because it is a nuclear option)

It's in the interest of China, US and rest of the world that this issue is quitely resolved. Else, the remaining currencies that may potentially take over will also have to suffer the onslaught

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 04 Jul 2018 17:40

China and US has a great amount of dependency with each other so beyond a point and Sabre rattling they wont do any thing that would harm the other because it will harm them.

US is trying every thing possible to delay if not stop the rise of china and claim its rightful position that comes with such rise so the current tarrif war with China , it also plays well with Trump vote bank politics of more Jobs and getting manufacturing back. Trump has nothing to loose and all to gain till he play to some extent without engaging in a big trade war which China then will get the big guns.

The Chinese are fine and they will play the waiting game here , The Dems in US are friends of Chinese , US business community too prefers china for its own interest , If Trump does not win the next election then its just a question of 2 more year if he does then 4 after that but this is also an opportunity for the Chinese to increase internal consumption and market for its own economy and reduce dependency on export , so there is silver lining to every thing.

The Chinese wont care much about CAATSA or JCPOA importing oil from Iran , China can show the US the middle finger for both and their leadership are strong backed by strong economy and military power.

They wont sell the T Bills or take any drastic action like introducing huge tarrif on Boeing or other US companies unless there is a war between the two.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 04 Jul 2018 18:23

On Iran, India To Make Its Case To US, National Interest First: Sources''

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/on-iran ... -topscroll

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 06 Jul 2018 10:30

State Warns Turkey On JSF
https://breakingdefense.com/2018/06/sen ... i=64139518

The damage of the purchase would cause damage to Turkey’s relationship with the United States and NATO that is “difficult to repair,” assistant secretary of State Wess Mitchell told the Senate Foreign Relations Europe and regional cooperation subcommittee.

“I think we can’t be any clearer than saying that, both privately and publicly, that a decision on the S-400 will qualitatively change the U.S.-Turkish relationship in a way that will be very difficult to repair,” Mitchell said. “We’ve been clear on multiple occasions with the highest levels of the Turkish government that there will be consequences,” he said.
[…]
Air Force secretary Heather Wilson said the deal “does present some operational problems that we’re discussing with Turkey…particularly as it relates to the location of advanced aircraft in Turkey. We would not want to have that aircraft close to the S-400.”

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 06 Jul 2018 10:35

CAATSA: America to impose sanctions on Russian dealings

The President of the US under section 231 of the act will be empowered to impose at least five of the total twelve listed sanctions.

The American Congress under Trump has not left any effort to divulge nations into categories of friends and adversaries. The Trump administration dealing in either black or white refrains from giving air to countries having the greyish approach.

CAATSA, Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act will imply on nations seeking deals with other partners given the fact that they enjoy a strategic relationship with the US as well. The act, in its initial phase, appeared to be countering North Korea, Iran, and Russia but sanctions seem to be looming over other countries also.

The President of the US under section 231 of the act will be empowered to impose at least five of the total twelve listed sanctions.

The Act in a broader sense is intended to lessen options for nations willing to trade with Russia or other American rivals in defense manufacturing, oil sector, and others. The message is clear, you can’t couple American Apache or Chinook with Russian Mil Mi-24 or Ka-52.

What is the way forward for countries like India and Vietnam which conventionally relied on Russian artillery but now developing an affinity towards US mark weaponry?

These countries are trying to shift towards American defense technology and hence some relief has to be very much on cards.

As James Mattis, defense secretary puts in - requests for a National Security Waiver, a special provision for India, Vietnam and Indonesia, having in storage huge Russian made weapon systems, has been made. Their transition from being tilted towards Russian technology to moving in favor of US will take time. If the sanctions are unilaterally imposed it may worsen the situation.

A top US admiral has also warned Congress against imposing any sanction on a country like India as the US may lose an important partner in the Indian Ocean region. China, in that case, will take control of the entire Indo-Pacific region and American interests may see a downfall.

The bill will also have an impact on National Defence Authorization Act which prioritizes funding for the department of defense in the fiscal year. The bill authorizes a total of USD 695.9 along with additional USD 28.5 for readiness recovery.

India, on the other hand, is in the advanced stages of negotiations for over five S-400 anti-missile defense systems from Russia and this US considers a digression on the part of India as far as the Indo-US strategic partnership is concerned.

The act is said to check balance the Russian overtures in Syria and punish it for the Ukraine adventure and military interventions frequently.

- Mohit Pandey

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 06 Jul 2018 10:37

Army chief Bipin Rawat says India needs to bypass US sanctions for Russian weapons

Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said that it is critical that India find ways to bypass American sanctions against Russia, given that Russian-origin weaponry is in widespread use in the Indian armed forces.

In his first comments on US sanctions against India’s top arms supplier, Rawat said: “We have to pursue own national interests and see what’s good for us. India has a large quantity of Russian weapons and platforms. So there are legacy issues.”

India is in talks with the United States to secure a sanctions waiver as its military is heavily dependent on Russian equipment, and the matter is likely to be discussed during the proposed 2+2 talks between the defence and foreign ministers of the two sides, said a person familiar with the development who asked not to be identified.

The dialogue was to begin in Washington on July 6 but the US postponed it (for the third time) because its secretary of state Mike Pompeo had to visit North Korea.

The US sanctions could be bypassed through an alternative payment route to sustain bilateral Indo-Russian defence trade, said Rawat. “It’s not just about new equipment, other aspects such as spares, servicing and technical support are equally important,” the army chief said.

Russian-origin equipment forms the backbone of the army’s armoured and mechanised infantry units.

The US passed the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act earlier this year. The new US legislation does provide some flexibility for countries such as India that are dependent on Russian equipment, but Washington wants India to diversify its suppliers of military equipment and reduce dependence on Russian military hardware.

“Whether it’s the army, navy or air force, we have been using Russian equipment for decades. Some of the deals that are coming to fruition now (with Russia) such as the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems have been under discussion for a few years. These factors need to be understood,” said a senior government official who did not wish to be named.

Austin · Post by **Austin** » 06 Jul 2018 10:41

They can go ahead and sanction yes that would be one less buyer for us and we have lived under US sanctions on defence and other for 60 years , So no big deal ....its their loss not ours.

It will make us more self reliant and independent and our sovereignty foreign policy on JCPOA/IRAN , CAATSA/Russia would make us more stronger