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India Denies Reports of Discussion to Buy F-16 for CAATSA Waiver on S-400 Deal

© AP Photo / Joseph NairF-16 fighter jets and surface-to-air missile system (File)
F-16 fighter jets and surface-to-air missile system (File) - Sputnik International
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The US administration has been pressurizing India for long to buy its F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft but the Indian government has clarified on several occasions that it has no such intention to buy it in spite of an offer for setting up a production facility in India.

The Indian government has categorically denied reports about an ongoing discussion between Washington and New Delhi on the possible purchase of F-16 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force in exchange of waiver on sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) for the S-400 Triumf air defense system deal with Russia.

India had signed $5.43 billion deal to purchase five units of S-400 Triumf from Russia during the annual summit earlier this month.

READ MORE: US Hints India Might Get Sanctions Waiver Over S-400 Deal if Buys F-16 – Reports

"The Ministry has noted the news reports in a section of the media, claiming that the United States had indicated that India could avoid sanctions under US CAATSA provisions if it were to give an assurance to procure F-16 aircraft from the US. This is to clarify that the news report is incorrect. No such discussions have been held by the Ministry," a clarification issued by the Indian defense ministry reads.

An S-400 anti-aircraft missile system during the preparation of military equipment for the military parade marking the 73rd anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, in Kaliningrad - Sputnik International
India Not to Cut Ties With Russia as Trump Vows 'Swift' Response to S-400 Deal
The Indian Express had reported last week that the offer of a CAATSA waiver in exchange of a deal on F-16 fighter jets was made earlier this month. Indian defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman met her US counterpart James Mattis in Singapore last Friday on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus).

READ MORE: US Sanctions Over S-400 Will 'Bring India Closer to Russia' — Defense Analyst

India had sent several delegations, led by the Foreign Secretary, to make a case for a sanctions waiver, but has not yet received any guarantee on the waiver despite US Defense Secretary James Mattis and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo advocating on India’s behalf.

A few days after the S-400 Triumf deal was signed, when asked if he would waive off the sanctions against India, US President Donald Trump said: "India's going to find out, aren't they?… Sooner than you think."

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