US Senator Advocates for Military Support to India in Face of Threats from Pakistan and China
Influential US Senator Marco Rubio has introduced a bill in Congress to strengthen India’s defense against China’s growing influence and perceived threats from Pakistan.
The proposed US-India Defence Cooperation Act suggests increasing “technology transfers” to India and calls for the US administration to “treat India with the same status as allies like Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members.”
The bill also requires the US administration to report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of force, including terrorism and proxy groups, against India. If Pakistan is found to sponsor terrorism against India, the bill proposes to block it from receiving US security assistance.
If passed, this legislation could significantly impact Pakistan, especially as it seeks to improve ties with the US. It would provide India with advanced military equipment typically reserved for close US allies, potentially weakening Pakistan’s defense capabilities.
Although unlikely to pass in the current Congress session, the bill may be reintroduced in the next session due to bipartisan support for stronger US-India relations. The bill emphasizes the importance of the US-India partnership in countering China’s influence and calls for enhancing diplomatic, economic, and military ties with India.
Senator Rubio said the legislation would “declare a policy that the US will support India in responding to threats to its territorial integrity” and provide security assistance to deter adversaries. It also proposes cooperation in defense, space, technology, medicine, and economic investments.
The bill includes a limited exemption for India from CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions, which are aimed at deterring Russian influence. This exemption would allow India to buy Russian equipment currently used by its military without facing US sanctions.
