U.S. House for greater defence ties with India

Ami Bera, co-sponsor of an amendment seeking to 

enhance defence relatios.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed amendments to the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA)-2017, seeking to enhance the country’s defence cooperation with India. A similar bill is under the consideration at the Senate as well. The bipartisan move of Congress seeks to bring India at par with NATO allies for technology and equipment sale. Once signed into law by the President, these provisions will liberalise the sale of a wide range of technologies to India, bypassing legislative approvals.

Special office in Pentagon

The move also seeks to open a special office in the Pentagon dedicated exclusively to the U.S.-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative.

The Senate is likely to pass the bill before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to a joint session of Congress on June 8. The amendment, Enhancing Defence and Security Cooperation with India, in the House was sponsored by George Holding and Ami Bera, chairs of the House India Caucus; House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Ed Royce; and Ranking Member Elliot Engel.

The U.S.-India Defence Technology and Partnership Act in the Senate was introduced by Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn, co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus. Senator Marco Rubio has also joined as a sponsor.

“It seeks to promote greater defence trade and encourage additional military cooperation between the United States and India,” Mr. Holding said on the floor of the House. “I believe that by requiring our government to take actions such as strengthening Defence Technology and Trade Initiative and encouraging combined military planning with India, we can make certain that the U.S.-India defence relationship endures,” he added.

In further amendments, the House has tightened the flow of aid to Pakistan. The Secretary of Defence must now certify to Congress that Pakistan is not using funds or equipment provided to persecute minority groups. The amendments also put new conditions to be met before Pakistan can access $450 million next year in Coalition Support Fund, which is for reimbursing costs incurred in Afghanistan.