The Senate has failed to recognise India as a “global strategic and defence partner” of the U.S. after a key amendment necessary to modify its export control regulations could not be passed.
A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent address to a joint session of Congress, top Republican senator John McCain moved an amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA-17) which if passed would have recognised India as a global strategic and defence partner.
The U.S. had recognised India as a “major defence partner” in a joint statement issued after Mr. Modi held talks with President Barack Obama which supported defence-related trade and technology transfer to the country which would now be treated on par with America’s closest allies.
The NDAA was passed by the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 85-13. But some of the key amendments including the (SA 4618) — even though they had bipartisan support — could not be passed by the Senate. “The [Senate] amendment [No 4618] was not adopted to the NDAA,” a Congressional aide told PTI.
DisappointmentWithout specifically mentioning this particular legislative move on India, Mr. McCain expressed disappointment that many key amendments could not see the light of day.
“In particular, I am deeply disappointed that the Senate was not able to increase the number of special immigrant visas for Afghans who risked their lives to help America in a time of war, and whose lives are still at risk today,” he said. — PTI
