US Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill on Thursday proposing a significant elevation of India’s status in the eyes of the United States. The bill seeks to treat India on par with close allies such as Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO partners, particularly in terms of technology transfers. Furthermore, the bill aims to actively support India in addressing threats to its territorial integrity and proposes blocking security assistance to Pakistan if it is found to be sponsoring terrorism against India.
Rubio, in introducing the U.S.-India Defense Cooperation Act in the Senate, emphasized the crucial role of the partnership in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. “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 U.S. to continue its support in countering these malicious tactics. India, along with other nations in the region, is not alone,” Rubio stated.
While the short timeline of a divided Congress in an election year makes the bill’s immediate passage unlikely, its introduction reflects growing bipartisan support for strengthening US-India relations. The bill is expected to be reintroduced in the next Congress.
The bill asserts that the US-India partnership is pivotal in countering Chinese influence. It highlights the need to enhance strategic diplomatic, economic, and military cooperation with India to solidify this partnership. Among its key provisions, the bill proposes a Statement of Policy affirming US support for India in addressing threats to its territorial integrity. It outlines a framework for providing security assistance to help India deter adversaries and emphasizes cooperation in defense, civil space, technology, medicine, and economic investments.
Should the bill become law, it would grant India a limited exemption from Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions for purchasing Russian military equipment currently in use. It also expresses Congressional support for swift processing of certifications for defense articles, services, and major equipment sales to India, aligning these actions with US interests and regional peace and stability.
The bill proposes treating India similar to US allies like Japan, Israel, Korea, and NATO partners in terms of technology transfers. It authorizes the Secretary of State to sign a memorandum of understanding with India to boost military cooperation, expedite the transfer of excess defense articles to India for two years, grant India the same status as other allies, and expand International Military Education and Training cooperation with New Delhi.
The bill mandates a report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of offensive force, including terrorism and proxy groups, against India. It proposes barring Pakistan from receiving security assistance if it is found to be sponsoring terrorism against India. It is noteworthy that this is the first US Congress bill specifically focused on India, aiming to elevate India’s status to that of treaty allies, exempt it from CAATSA sanctions, and impose sanctions on Pakistan for terrorism against India.
The CAATSA, enacted in 1996, emphasizes secondary sanctions, imposing penalties on third parties for interacting with the primary target of sanctions. The CAATSA specifically targets Iran, North Korea, and Russia. In 2019, India was granted a waiver from the CAATSA, preventing sanctions for its purchase of Russian weapons, including the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system. However, India’s 2018 purchase of the S-400 system from Russia had previously led to the US threatening India with sanctions.
