On Friday, influential US Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill in Congress aimed at enhancing India’s defense capabilities against China and addressing perceived threats from Pakistan.
The proposed legislation, known as the US-India Defence Cooperation Act, advocates for significant “technology transfers” to India and suggests treating India with the same level of support as US allies such as Japan, Israel, South Korea, and NATO members.
Rubio, a Republican from Florida who has been in the Senate since 2011, previously ran for president in 2015 and delivered the Republican response to President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address.
The bill calls for the US administration to report to Congress on Pakistan’s use of offensive force, including terrorism and proxy groups, against India. It also proposes to withhold security assistance from Pakistan if it is found to sponsor terrorism against India.
If passed, the bill could significantly impact Pakistan, particularly during a time when Islamabad and Washington are working to improve their bilateral relations. Providing India with advanced weaponry typically reserved for close US allies and NATO members might weaken Pakistan’s defense capabilities and limit its ability to respond to Indian actions in the region.
While the bill is unlikely to progress in the current Congress session, it may be reintroduced next session due to bipartisan support for strengthening the US-India relationship.
Rubio emphasized that the bill is designed to affirm US support for India in the face of growing threats, enhance security assistance, and promote cooperation in defense, civil space, technology, medicine, and economic investments.
Additionally, the bill proposes a limited exemption for India from CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions, allowing India to purchase Russian military equipment without facing US sanctions. It also seeks to expedite defense articles and services to India, and expand military education and training cooperation with New Delhi.
