NEW DELHI, India: India is set to enjoy the status of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally as the US Senate has passed an amendment in the Country’s Arms Control Export Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act 2020, allowing the two Countries to further boost their defence cooperation.
Prior to India, Countries like Israel, South Korea Australia and New Zealand have already been granted the status of NATO allies.
The amendment to the US’s Arms Control Export Act was introduced in the House by Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Senator John Cornyn, said a report by Bloomberg Quint.
The amendment provides for increased US-India defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean in the areas of humanitarian assistance, counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and maritime security.
Now the amendment needs to be passed by the House of Representatives before it can be signed by the US President Donald Trump into law.
Earlier in 2016, the United States recognized India as a “Major Defence Partner”, allowing New Delhi to buy more advanced and sensitive technologies from the US at par with that of Washington’s closest allies and partners, and ensures enduring cooperation into the future.
