US discourages India's reliance on Russia for defence needs: Pentagon
Washington (PTI): The US discourages India to rely on Russia for its defence needs, the Pentagon has said.
In October 2018, India signed a USD 5 billion deal with Russia to buy five units of the S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems to ramp up its air defence, despite a warning from the then Trump administration that going ahead with the contract may invite US sanctions.
The US has already imposed sanctions on Turkey under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for the purchase of a batch of S-400 missile defence systems from Russia.
"We've been very clear with India as well as other nations that we don't want to see them rely on Russia for defence needs. We've been nothing but honest about that and discouraging that," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby told reporters at a news conference here on Friday.
"At the same time, we also value the defence partnership that we have with India. And as was evidenced a week ago, we're looking at ways to improve that going forward. That's going to continue because it matters and it's important, he said.
"India is a provider of security in the region and we value that, Kirby said.
US State Department Counsellor Derek Chollet on Thursday said the Biden administration is very much eager to work with India as it diversifies its defence capabilities and defence suppliers.
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PM Modi to attend NDA convention, roadshow in Kochi
Kochi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Kerala on Wednesday and take part in a series of programmes here, including the inauguration of the BJP-led NDA's election convention.
The prime minister will land at Cochin International Airport at 11.30 am. He will then travel to the naval base before heading by road to Marine Drive for his first event--the golden jubilee celebrations of the Dheevara Sabha.
Later, he will take part in a roadshow beginning from the entrance of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at around noon.
At 12.30 pm, the prime minister will participate in an official programme of the central government where he will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation several key development projects.
Around 1 pm, Modi will inaugurate the NDA's Kerala election rally at the stadium.
The convention will mark the formal launch of the alliance's campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
Organisers say around 50,000 party workers are expected to attend the event.
Leaders and workers from several NDA partners, including Bharath Dharma Jana Sena and Twenty20, will also take part.
After completing the programmes in Kochi, Modi will leave for Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu at around 2.30 pm.
