New Delhi (Sputnik) — The US Congress will soon consider a legislation, which if approved, will set in motion measures to officially elevate India as a major defense partner.
This has put in place a system for successive administrations to pursue enhanced defense and security ties with India.
A closer defense relationship with India is envisaged in the National Defense Authorization Act 2017 slated for filing on any day for voting in the House of Representatives and in Senate.
The Act outlines the massive $618 billion US’ military budget but also contains a section on ties with India. It directs the Secretary of State and Defense Secretary to recognize India as a major defense partner and conduct an assessment of the extent to which India possesses capabilities to support and carry out military operations of mutual interest to both countries.
Both Chambers of Congress have cleared the draft Act a legislative process referred as “conference”. Once approved by the two Houses of the Congress, it will go for Presidential approval.
Senator John McCain said, “[the Act] enhances security cooperation between the United States and India,” reports PTI. McCain chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The last two administrations had pursued a policy of enhanced engagement with New Delhi. But Trump’s pre-election speeches had promised to slash IT visas and put the squeeze on outsourcing. In case Trump goes ahead with his election promises, India will find it difficult to promote closer defense ties amidst an outcry over loss of jobs.
That is why a leading strategic expert advocated a continuation of Bush-Obama policies towards India. “I think Obama’s legacy in India-US relations is a fitting continuation of Bush’s biggest strategic achievement: the transformation of India-US ties,’’ said Ashley J. Tellis, South Asia expert at Carnegie, a leading US-based think tank.
