US-India Defense Cooperation Act Strengthening Defense Ties and Security Assistance
The bill titled “US-India Defense Cooperation Act”, was tabled by Republican Senator Marco Rubio in the US Senate.
The bill emphasizes strengthening ties with New Delhi as if it were of the same status as U.S. allies such as Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO allies regarding technology transfers and in case of a threat, the US will provide necessary security assistance to India.
The Republican Senator Marco Rubio urged the expedition of excess defense articles to India for two years, the granting of India the same status as other allies, and the expansion of International Military Education and Training Cooperation with New Delhi.
The bill asked the US to provide a limited exemption for India from CAATSA sanctions for purchases of Russian equipment currently used by the Indian military.
India PM Modi tells Putin ‘war cannot solve problems
It is pertinent to mention here that Russia is a vital supplier of cut-price oil and weapons to India. Still, Moscow’s isolation from the West and growing ties with Beijing have impacted its partnership with New Delhi.
Western powers have in recent years also cultivated stronger relations with New Delhi as a hedge against China and its growing influence across the Asia-Pacific while pressuring New Delhi to distance itself from Russia.
The United States also urged Modi to make clear in his talks with Putin that “any resolution to the conflict in Ukraine must respect the UN Charter to Ukraine’s territorial integrity
