Reflecting the solid bipartisan support for building US-India relationship, the US House of Representatives Friday passed a key measure calling for expansion of US-India defence cooperation.
In addition to urging an overall expansion in defence ties, an amendment to the FY2016 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) specifically calls for the US to welcome the role India plays in providing security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The amendment was offered by Ed Royce, Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, its top Democratic member Eliot Engel, Democrat Ami Bera and George Holding, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and Democrat Joe Crowley, vice chair of the Democratic Caucus.
The measure also wants the US to work cooperatively with India on matters relating to common defence, vigorously support the implementation of the US-India Defence Framework Agreement, as well as support the India Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI).