US-India Defence Cooperation Act introduced in Senate

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expected visit here next month, two top American senators have introduced a legislation which if passed by Congress would elevate the status of the Indo-US defence relationship on par with that of America’s closest allies like NATO and Israel.

The US-India Defence Technology and Partnership Act was introduced in the Senate by Senators Mark Warner and John Cornyn co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus on Tuesday. The legislation has been sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for necessary action.

The legislation, a similar version of the bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in March, institutionalises the US government’s focus on the US-India security relationship while sending a powerful signal to India that the US is a reliable and dependable defence partner. 

“This bill supports strengthening our bilateral relationship, particularly in defence, and bestows upon India the status it deserves as a partner in promoting security in Asia and around the world,” Warner said. As an important partner with a flourishing economy, India has huge potential as a market for US defence manufacturers, which support millions of American jobs, he said.