US Places India Up On Defence Pedestal And Gives Privileges Of NATO Allies

The US lawmakers have elevated India in the pecking order of defence cooperation. An amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act puts India at par with other NATO allies in terms of sale of defence equipment and technology transfer.

This encourages the executive branch to designate an official to focus on US-India defence cooperation, facilitate the transfer of defence technology, maintain a special office in the Pentagon dedicated exclusively to the U.S.—India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

It urges the US government to enhance India’s military capabilities in the context of combined military planning, and promote co-production/co-development opportunities.

“It seeks to promote greater defence trade and encourage additional military cooperation between the United States and India,” Congressman George Holding said on the floor of the House of Representatives in favour of the amendment in this regard in the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA)—2017.

The amendment (Enhancing Defence and Security Co-operation with India) was sponsored by Holding and Ami Bera (House India Caucus Chairs) and Chair and Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce and Elliot Engel, respectively.

“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,” Holding said.

Now is the time to build on recent successes and propel the U.S.—India strategic partnership forward, the lawmaker said.

Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn, the Senate India Caucus Chairs, introduced a similar bill earlier this week in the Senate.

It is only when it is passed by the Senate and the House as part of the NDAA—2017, it will head to the White House for President Barack Obama’s approval.

The move has been welcomed by the US—India Business Council (USIBC).

“Now that we have bipartisan support from the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House India Caucus, we believe this amendment has a good chance of making its way into the House’s version of the defence authorisation bill,” said USIBC president Mukesh Aghi.

Among other things, the House legislative approval requires the Secretary of Defence and Secretary of State to jointly take such actions as may be necessary to recognise India’s status as a major defence partner of the US.

Pakistan snubbed

Meanwhile, ignoring objections of the White House, the House of Representatives has blocked $450 million aid to Pakistan for failing to take action against the dreaded Haqqani network.

The NDAA 2017 (HR 4909) was passed by the House of Representative on Wednesday night, which among others included approval of three major amendments reflecting the strong anti-Pak sentiment prevailing among the US lawmakers.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher’s amendment adds an additional requirement that the Secretary of Defence certify to Congress that Pakistan is not using its military or any funds or equipment provided by the US to persecute minority groups seeking political or religious freedom.