Why in news?
The US House of Representatives has passed a $621.5 billion defence expenditure bill that proposes to advance defence cooperation with India.
What happened?
- An amendment in this regard was adopted by a voice vote by the House as part of the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA) 2018.
- Following the passage of the NDAA, the Secretary of Defence and Secretary of State will have 180 days to develop a strategy for advancing defence cooperation between the United States and India.
- NDAA needs to be passed by the Senate before it can be sent to the White House for the US President to sign into law.
- 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.
What is the significance?
- The relationship creates a high level of dialogue in the Pentagon on a range of issues.
- It is vitally important to develop a strategy that advances defence cooperation between our two nations.
- It addresses critical issues like common security challenges, the role of partners and allies, and areas for collaboration in science and technology.
- It would enhance both of our defence and our ability to meet the evolving security challenges of the 21st century.
- We have the same interests in upholding this international system that upholds the rule of law and favours freedom of navigation, open sea lanes of communication, and freedom of over flight.
- Those are values that are critically important to the United States and India to our economic prosperity and to our access in the region.
Source: Financial Express
