Marco Rubio Introduces U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Bill

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator and the nominee for Secretary of State in the incoming Donald Trump administration, has introduced a bill in Congress aimed at enhancing the U.S.-India partnership by treating India on par with key allies like Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members in areas such as technology transfers and defense cooperation.

The U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Act proposes to support India in its efforts to counter growing territorial threats, particularly from China, while also addressing Pakistan’s alleged sponsorship of terrorism against India. Rubio emphasized the need for the U.S. to back its regional partners, saying, “Communist China continues to aggressively expand its domain in the Indo-Pacific region… It’s crucial for the U.S. to continue its support in countering these malicious tactics. India, along with other nations in the region, is not alone.”

While the bill faces significant challenges in a divided Congress ahead of the election year, it underscores a bipartisan commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India relationship. The bill outlines the importance of enhancing diplomatic, economic, and military ties with India, especially as a countermeasure to Chinese influence in the region.

Key provisions of the bill include:

Providing security assistance to India to bolster its defense capabilities.

Exempting India from CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions for past Russian equipment purchases.

Expediting defense cooperation and technology transfers between the U.S. and India.

Expanding military education and training exchanges with India.

Additionally, the bill mandates a report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of terrorism against India and seeks to bar Pakistan from receiving U.S. security assistance if found responsible for sponsoring such activities.

This bill represents the first time a U.S. lawmaker has introduced a comprehensive proposal aimed at placing India on equal footing with America’s key allies while addressing concerns about Pakistan’s role in terrorism. Should it pass, it would mark a significant shift in U.S. policy towards India and its regional security dynamics.