US Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill that proposes to treat Bharat at the equal level with top US allies like Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members. The legislation, known as the US-India Defence Cooperation Act, aims to facilitate technology transfers, strengthen Bharat’s defence capabilities, and respond to threats to India’s territorial integrity.
Additionally, the bill seeks to prohibit Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against India.
“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. Bharat, along with other nations in the region, is not alone,” Rubio stated upon introducing the bill.
While the bill faces challenges in a divided Congress, especially in an election year, it may be reintroduced in the next Congress given bipartisan support for strengthening the Bharat-US relationship. The bill highlights the importance of the Bharat-US partnership in countering China’s influence and calls for enhancing strategic, diplomatic, economic, and military ties with New Delhi.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Supporting Bharat’s response to threats to its territorial integrity.
- Providing necessary security assistance to deter adversaries.
- Cooperating with Bharat on defence, civil space, technology, medicine, and economic investments.
- Exempting Bharat from CAATSA sanctions for purchasing Russian military equipment.
- Expediting the sale of defense articles and services to Bharat.
- Treating Bharat on par with top US allies regarding technology transfers.
- Authorising the Secretary of State to increase military cooperation with Bharat.
- Expediting excess defence articles to Bharat for two years.
- Expanding International Military Education and Training Cooperation with Bharat.
- Requiring a report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of offensive force, including terrorism, against Bharat.
- Barring Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against Bharat.
This landmark bill, if passed, would significantly elevate Bharat’s status in US foreign policy, exempt it from certain sanctions, and impose measures against Pakistan for terrorism-related activities.
