Recognise India As America’s Major Defence Partner, US Congress Asks Obama Administration

The US Congress, in a bid to strengthen defence partnership with India, has asked the US Defence Secretary and the Secretary of State to take required steps to recognise India as a major defence partner of the United Sates. The request was forwarded by a powerful congressional conference committee.

In its report on National Defence Authorisation Bill (NDAA), the committee has directed the administration to conduct an assessment to determine India’s capability of conducting military operations which are in mutual interest of both countries. However, most suggestions listed in the Section 1292 of NDAA called "Enhancing defence and security cooperation with India" would have to be taken by the Donald Trump Administration, which would take charge on 20 January.

The committee has also directed the Secretary of Defence and Secretary of State to jointly submit a report on how the US is supporting its defence relationship with India within 180 days of the passage of the bill.

According to India TV, the language arrived in the conference report and NDAA has been agreed upon by both the Republican and the Democratic Party. Therefore, the chances of it being sabotaged by the new administration are negligible. John McCain, who is chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has said that the report seeks to enhances security cooperation between the United States and India.