India received more S-400 missiles from Russia amid tensions

According to local media, India has received the S-400 air defense system from Russia and New Delhi officials said the shipments would continue despite Western efforts to force countries around the world to sever ties with Russia because of the ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.

Senior government officials told India Today on April 14 that the S-400 had arrived in India by air and sea. Since then, anti-aircraft missile systems have been deployed in “designated locations” and the S-400 is “now operational”.

“We are continuing to receive S-400 shipments without any delays or problems,” said an official, who asked not to be named. The latest shipment of engines was received a few days ago despite the hostilities in Ukraine.”

The sources added that Russia is the top supplier of weapons to the Indian army.

The latest shipment of S-400 was provided after Russia conducted a military operation in Ukraine nearly 2 months. Since then the US and its allies have triggered the wave of punish Russia extensive. The United States and other countries have also repeatedly pressed India to end its trade and security ties with Russia, but this pressure has so far had little effect.

In addition to continuing to buy weapons, New Delhi has also agreed to buy more Russian oil and coal in recent weeks. Indian and Russian officials also discussed the payment mechanism in ruble – rupees for bilateral trade transactions, not using USD and euro.

During an event at the Atlantic Council on April 13, Finance Minister America Janet Yellen warned that a “united coalition of punitive states” would not be “indifferent” to countries “undermining” Russia sanctions.

India’s purchase of the S-400 from Russia is technically a violation of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions (CAATSA) act of 2017, which was passed in response to allegations of Russian meddling in the US election. So far, however, Washington has been reluctant to apply, keeping the sanctions card in its ongoing negotiations with New Delhi.

However, Russian officials insist that shipments under a military agreement with India will continue regardless of pressure from Washington.

“We don’t see any problems with the delivery S-400 for India. We have mechanisms and a roadmap to continue this agreement unhindered,” Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said last month. “Sanctions will not interfere with these transactions in any way, whether previous or newly imposed sanctions.”