The US senate has passed a bill accepting India as a defense partner and now the bill goes the President’s office for his acquiescence. Titled ‘Enhancing defense and security cooperation with India,’ Section 1292 of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) asks the Defense Secretary and the Secretary of State to take necessary steps to recognize India as America’s major defense partner.
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“I applaud the inclusion of forward-leaning provisions designed to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation with India, including expanded military-to-military engagement, increased defense trade, and greater cooperation on technological development,” Senator Mark Warner, Co-Chair of the Senate India Caucus, said in a statement after the Senate passed the bill.
“As the world’s largest democracy and one with which U.S. strategic interests increasingly align, India is an important partner in promoting economic growth and global security,” said Mr. Warner, who will serve as Vice-Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee in the 115th Congress.
The bill asks the administration to designate an individual within the executive branch who is experienced in the defense acquisition and technology to reinforce and ensure, through inter-agency policy coordination, that the success of the Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship and to help to resolve the remaining issues impeding in the U.S.-India defense trade, security cooperation and co-production and co-development opportunities.
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After the bill is passed, within 180 days, the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State is asked to jointly submit to the Congressional Defense Committees and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives an action report on how the U.S. is going to support its defense relationship with India.
By Premji
