US on India's S-400 Deal: CAATSA Not Intended to Damage Allies' Capabilities

India has signed a $5.4 billion deal to buy five S-400 air defense systems despite the looming threat of US sanctions on countries that trade with Russia's defense and intelligence sectors.

New Delhi (Sputnik): Hours after India and Russia concluded the S-400 Triumf air defense systems deal, the US responded that it cannot prejudge the sanctions against India, while at the same time reiterated that the Countering America's Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is not intended to impose damage to the military capabilities of allies.

READ MORE: New Delhi Wants S-400 'to Change Strategic Balance in Indian Subcontinent' — PhD

"The waiver authority is not for a blanket waiver. It is transaction-specific… Waivers of CAATSA Section 231 will be considered on a transaction-by-transaction basis. We can't prejudge any sanctions decisions," a statement issued by the US embassy in New Delhi reads.

US embassy in New Delhi reacts to #S400 deal concluded between India and Russia pic.twitter.com/idPNpxanTj

— Rishikesh Kumar (@rishhikesh) October 5, 2018

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Meanwhile, when asked whether New Delhi is concerned about incurring US sanctions due to the high-worth deal, a highly placed Indian government official responded that the decision had been taken in the "national interest."

"The deal is in the national interest and S-400 deal negotiation precedes CAATSA by a long period. The government has taken the decision in the national interest," the Indian official, who asked to remain anonymous, told Sputnik.

READ MORE: India Risks US Sanctions Over $5Bln S-400 Delivery Deal – Reports 

Sources told Sputnik that the $5.4 billion deal does not involve the transfer of technology or defense assets, and that a maintenance facility will be set up in India. Russia will also help to integrate the S-400 with India's domestically-produced Akash surface-to-air missile system.