Washington: Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna in the US on Wednesday advocated giving India equal status to NATO in bilateral defense relations. He said that with this status, India-US relations will be taken to the next level. For this, he held a meeting with Pentagon officials on other topics including Indo-US defense relations.
US Congressman Ro Khanna told news agency ANI on Tuesday that the US wants to strengthen its defense partnership with India, as China is becoming assertive in this area. Khanna also said that the US wants to enhance defense ties to provide India an option to reduce its dependence on Russian military exports.
India should get exemption from the restrictions of CAATSA law
Khanna said that it is in the national interest of America to forgive India for Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). The CAATSA Act penalizes nations that have significant defense transactions with Russia. He said the exemption would boost US-India defense ties.
The role played for amendment in NDAA
Khanna was instrumental in getting approval from the US House of Representatives to amend the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The amendment proposes to deepen India-US defense ties. It was passed with 300 votes, reflecting the bipartisan commitment to strengthening ties between India and the US.
Ro Khanna said, “I am working with Elliot Angle, who is the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations so that we can give India equal status to NATO in our defense relations. I have introduced a bill in the House regarding the Armed Services Committee. Working to build a coalition to get this passed.
Ro Khanna has been advocating for India
With a frequent presence on mainstream television media, Khanna is a lawmaker who advocates for America to strengthen ties with India. Khanna said, “I believe that the US-India relationship is vital in the 21st century for innovation, entrepreneurship, and democracy. It should be based on progressive values of respect, pluralism, and strong liberal institutions.
Khanna was one of the 11 sponsors of the bill condemning the Pulwama terror attack. This attack was carried out by the terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed on 14 February in Pulwama, Jammu, and Kashmir. 40 soldiers were martyred in this attack. He is also working with Congressman John Lewis to organize the Gandhi King Scholarship Exchange Program on the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
