US clears $621.5 bn bill on defence ties with India

US House of Representatives has passed a $621.5 billion defence expenditure bill that proposes to advance defence cooperation with India.

An amendment in this regard, moved by Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, was adopted by a voice vote by the House as part of the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA) 2018, beginning October 1 this year. NDAA-2018 was passed by the House 344-81.

The India-related amendment passed by the House requires the secretary of defence, in consultation with the secretary of state, to develop a strategy for advancing defence cooperation between the United States and India.

“The US is the world’s oldest democracy and India is the world’s largest democracy. It is vitally important to develop a strategy that advances defence cooperation between our two nations,” Bera said.

“Cooperation between the US and India enhances our own defence and our ability to meet the evolving security challenges of the 21st century,” Bera added.

Following the passage of the National Defence Authorisation Act, the secretary of defence and secretary of state have 180 days to develop a strategy for advancing defence cooperation between the United States and India.

The Senate needs to pass NDAA before it can be sent to the White House for US President Donald Trump to sign it into law.

NDAA-2018 asks the US state department and the Pentagon to develop a strategy that addresses common security challenges, the role of American partners and allies in India-US defence relationship, and role of the defence technology and trade initiative.

It also asks them to address how to advance the communications interoperability and security memorandum of agreement and the basic exchange and cooperation agreement for geospatial cooperation.

The previous NDAA-2017 had designated India as a major defence partner which brings India at par with closest American partners in terms of defence trade and technology transfer.

Meanwhile, deputy assistant secretary of defence for South and Southeast Asia Cara Abercrombie said on Friday that “India’s rise and role [is] evolving”, adding that the defence relationship between India and the United States “is on a positive track”.

NDAA2018 ASKS THE US STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE PENTAGON TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY THAT ADDRESSES COMMON SECURITY CHALLENGES