"I hope people understand…": S Jaishankar on Russia S-400 deal

New Delhi : India has elucidated the United States government about its decision to purchase the S-400 missile system from Russia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday.

"India has made a decision on the S-400 and we have discussed that with the US government. I am reasonably convinced of the powers of my persuasion (sic)," S Jaishankar said while speaking to a group of journalists in the US.

He was responding to a question from a Russian journalist on the possibilities of US sanctions on India under CAATSA as it goes ahead with its decision to purchase S-400 Triumph missile defence system from the Russia.

"It would be my hope that people understand why this particular transaction is important for us, so I think of your question to me is hypothetical," he said, during his appearance at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington DC-based top American think tank.