US House approves India-specific waiver for CAATSA sanctions

Washington DC, Jul 15: In a major development, the US House of Representatives passed an amendment that approves the long-pending waiver to India against the punitive CAATSA sanctions over its purchase of the s-400 missile defense system from Russia. The waiver was passed by voice vote as a part of the en bloc amendment during floor consideration of the National Defence Authorisation Act.

 

 

It was proposed by the Indian-origin Democrat Ro Khanna. The amendment urges the Joe Biden administration to use its authority to provide India with a Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) waiver to help deter aggressors like China.

 

In a statement, House Representative Ro Khanna remarked, “The United States must stand with India in the face of escalating aggression from China. As Vice Chair of the India Caucus, I have been working to strengthen the partnership between our countries and ensure that India can defend itself along the Indian Chinese border.”

 

 

 

“This amendment is of the utmost importance, and I am proud to see it pass the House on a bipartisan basis,” he added. Khanna emphasised that the bilateral ties between India and the United States are rooted in democratic values and critical to counter threats in India-Pacific regions.

 

 

It should be noted that under the CAATSA, the US govt can impose economic and financial penalties on any country that has significant ties with the three nations. For India, it meant the US could sanction defence ties with Russia, and trade with Iran.

 

After the CAATSA waiver, India will be able to continue its defence and trade ties with the three nations, especially with Russia and Iran, without the looming threat of US sanctions. However, the waiver needs to be first approved by the senate and after that signed by the president.

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