Washington. May 21, 2016 .  On May 19, 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted by voice vote a pro-India amendment offered by Congressmen George Holding (R-NC) and supported by Ed Royce (R-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Ami Bera (D-CA). This amendment was incorporated into the National Defense Authorization Act that was subsequently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.

This legislation institutionalizes the U.S. government’s focus on the U.S.-India security relationship while sending a powerful signal to New Delhi that the United States is a reliable and dependable defense partner.  For the United states, it encourages the executive branch to: designate an official to focus on US-India defense cooperation, facilitate the transfer of defense technology, maintain a special office in the Pentagon dedicated exclusively to the U.S.-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), enhance India’s military capabilities in the context of combined military planning, and promote co-production/co-development opportunities.

For India, it encourages the government to authorize combined military planning with the United States for missions of mutual interest such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter piracy, and maritime domain awareness.

“The U.S.-India Business Council strongly supports the amendment and congratulates Congressman Holding on successfully incorporating it into the House of Representatives’ National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation will promote defense trade between our countries and will strengthen military ties. We look forward to the Senate taking action on similar legislation,” said USIBC President Mukesh Aghi.