Shafaqna India: On Friday, influential US Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill in Congress aimed at helping India counter China’s growing influence and addressing alleged threats from Pakistan.
The proposed US-India Defence Cooperation Act strongly supports “technology transfers” to India and urges the administration to treat India on par with US allies such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members.
Rubio, a Republican senator from Florida since 2011, delivered the Republican response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address in 2013 and ran for president in 2015, winning several state primaries before exiting the race in 2016.
The bill requires the US administration to submit a report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of offensive force, including terrorism and proxy groups, against India. It also proposes barring Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to have sponsored terrorism against India.
If enacted, the legislation could significantly impact Pakistan, especially as Islamabad and Washington work to strengthen their bilateral relationship. Providing India with advanced weapons typically reserved for close US allies and NATO members could undermine Pakistan’s defense capabilities and limit its ability to respond to Indian aggression in the region.
Although the bill is unlikely to advance in the current Congress, which is ending its session this year, it may be reintroduced in the next Congress given the bipartisan support for enhancing the India-US relationship.
The bill argues that the US-India partnership is vital to countering China’s influence and suggests enhancing Washington’s strategic diplomatic, economic, and military relationship with New Delhi. Senator Rubio said the proposed legislation would set a policy that the US will support India in its response to threats to its territorial integrity, provide necessary security assistance to deter adversaries, and cooperate with India in defense, civil space, technology, medicine, and economic investments.
The bill also proposes a limited exemption for India from CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions, which target Russian defense and intelligence sectors. This exemption would allow India to purchase Russian equipment currently used by its military without facing US sanctions.
The bill seeks a ‘Sense of Congress’ statement that expeditious consideration of certifications for selling defense articles, services, and major equipment to India aligns with US interests. It notes that it is in the interest of peace and stability for India to have the capabilities needed to deter threats.
Furthermore, the bill authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into a memorandum of understanding with India to increase military cooperation and expedite excess defense articles to India for two years. It calls for granting India the same status as other US allies and expanding international military education and training cooperation with New Delhi.
