BIG Diplomatic Win for India: US Senate passes legislative provision to give India NATO ally-like status. Details here

US Senate has passed a legislative provision that brings India at par with America's NATO allies and countries like Israel and South Korea for increasing defence cooperation.

 National Defense Authorisation Act or NDAA for fiscal year 2020, that contained such a proposal was passed by US Senate last week. 

Introduced by Senate India Caucus Co-Chair Senator John Cornyn with support of Senate India Caucus Co-Chair Senator Mark Warner, amendment provides for increased US-India defence cooperation in Indian Ocean in areas of humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism, counter-piracy, and maritime security.

Last week, House India Caucus Co-Chair Br Sherman, along with Congressmen Joe Wilson, Ami Bera, Ted Yoho, George Holding, Ed Case, and Raja Krishnamoorthi introduced a similar legislative proposal to House FY2020 NDAA that would greatly enhance US-India relationship.

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bill would be signed into law after both chambers of US Congress House of Representatives and Senate passes it. House is expected to take up its version of NDAA sometime in July before legislators journ for month-long August recess on July 29.

In a statement, Hindu American Foundation commended Senators Cornyn and Warner for ir efforts in vancing US-India strategic partnership.

"Elevating India to n-NATO status is vital, w more than ever, for US, for India, and for entire region," said HAF managing director Samir Kalra.

"Wher we do that with freestanding legislation or wher we do that with an amendment to  National Defense Authorization Act matters, I think, very little. What matters is that we recognise importance, in a tangible way, of US-India alliance," Congressman Sherman said at HAF Capitol Hill Reception last week.

US recognised India as a "Major Defence Partner" in 2016, a designation that allows India to buy more vanced and sensitive techlogies from America at par with that of US' closest allies and partners, and ensures enduring cooperation into future.

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