The House and Senate Armed Services Committee have asked the Defense Secretary and the U.S. Secretary of State to conduct an assessment of India’s capabilities to support and carry out military operations of mutual interest, and to take steps necessary to recognize India as America’s major defense partner in a bid to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.
The proposal is included in National Defense Authorization Bill has been agreed upon by both the Republican and the Democratic Party. Once passed by Congress during its lame duck session, President Obama can sign it into law.
It seeks approval and facilitation of transfer of advanced technology, consistent with U.S. conventional arms transfer policy, to support combined military planning with India’s military for missions such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter piracy, freedom of navigation, maritime domain awareness missions and to promote weapons systems interoperability, reports NDTV.
Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said, it “enhances security cooperation between the United States and India“.
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is visiting India to review the progress achieved in deepening defense ties over the last three years before the change of administration in the U.S.
