US Introduecs Legistation To Focus On Co-development/Co-production Of Defense Technology with India

US has introduced a new legislation, US-India Defense Technology and Partnership Act amending the earlier Arms Export Control Act in order to formalize India’s status for the purpose of congressional notifications as a major partner of equal status as America’s treaty allies and closest partners.

For the United States, the legislation encourages the government 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 US-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), focus on enhancing India’s operational capabilities, and promote co-production/co-development opportunities, US-India Business Council (USIBC) said in a statement Wednesday.

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

Congressman George Holding (R-NC), Co-Chair of the House India Caucus, introduced the Act today.

“Together the US and India face a range of shared security challenges and I believe we should be encouraging deeper defense ties and closer cooperation between our countries. The U.S.-India Defense Technology and Partnership Act will build upon the recent progress made to strengthen our strategic partnership by facilitating closer collaboration, promoting greater defense trade, and by elevating India’s status,” George Holding said.

"Defense trade between our countries is one of the strongest areas of the bilateral economic relationship and has risen from some $300 million to over $14 billion over the last 10 years. This bill not only puts India on par with other NATO allies in terms of the notification period, it sends a clear signal to Washington and Delhi that defense cooperation should be a top priority for both governments,” said Mukesh Aghi, President of USIBC.