On the 25th of July, US Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill in Congress that proposes treating India on an equal footing with its allies such as Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO allies in terms of technology transfers, supporting India in its response to growing threats to its territorial integrity. In addition, the bill proposed prohibiting Pakistan from getting security assistance if it is proven that it has sponsored terrorism against India.
Taking to X, Senator Marco Rubio informed about introducing the bill “U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Act” and wrote, “In order to strengthen our partnership with India, it’s essential we increase our strategic relationship w/ New Delhi. Introduced a bill to best support India as they continue to face aggression from Communist China.”
In order to strengthen our partnership with India, it’s essential we increase our strategic relationship w/ New Delhi. 🇺🇲 🇮🇳
— Senator Marco Rubio (@SenMarcoRubio) July 25, 2024
Introduced a bill to best support India as they continue to face aggression from Communist China.https://t.co/QVF1gU7TqP
“Communist China continues to aggressively expand its domain in the Indo-Pacific region, all while it seeks to impede the sovereignty and autonomy of our regional partners. It’s crucial for the US to continue its support in countering these malicious tactics. India, along with other nations in the region, is not alone,” the Republican leader said.
The bill emphasises the importance of US-India cooperation in combating Communist China’s influence. It asserts that improving our strategic political, economic, and military ties with New Delhi is critical to strengthening this cooperation.
The bill would set a “Statement of Policy stating that the United States will support India in its response to growing threats to its territorial integrity, provide necessary security assistance to India to deter adversaries, and cooperate with India on defense, civil space, technology, medicine, and economic investments.”
If passed, the bill provided a “limited exemption for India from CAATSA sanctions for purchases of Russian equipment that are currently used by the Indian military.”
The bill proposes to establish a Sense of Congress that expedited consideration of certifications of letters of offer to sell defence articles, defence services, design and construction services, and major defence equipment to India is consistent with US interests, and that India’s ability to deter threats is in the interests of peace and stability.
Most importantly, the bill proposes to “treat India as if it were of the same status as US allies such as Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO allies regarding technology transfers.”
The bill proposes authorising the Secretary of State to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India “to increase military cooperation; expedite excess defence articles to India for two years and grant India the same status as other allies; and expand International Military Education and Training Cooperation with New Delhi.”
In what could be a major blow to Pakistan if the bill is passed, the bill brought by Marco Rubio, the senator from Florida, states that a report should be submitted before the Congress on Pakistan’s use of terrorism and proxy terror groups against India. In addition, the bill proposes to deny security assistance to Pakistan, if it is found that the country sponsored terrorism against India.
“Require a report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of offensive force, including through terrorism and proxy groups, against India; and Bar Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against India,” the bill states.
