WASHINGTON: US House of Representatives has passed a $621.5 billion defence policy bill that proposes to advance defence cooperation with India, in an amendment moved by Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera. NDAA-2018 was passed by the House 344-81. The India-related amendment passed by the House requires the Defence Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to develop a strategy for advancing defence cooperation between the United States and India.
An elated Bera said, “The United States 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. I am grateful for this amendment passed and look forward to the Defence Department's strategy that addresses critical issues like common security challenges, the role of partners and allies, and areas of collaboration in science and technology. Cooperation between US and India enhances our own defence and our ability to meet the evolving security challenges of the 21st century.”
After 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 two countries. As passed, NDAA-2018 asks the 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.
