India downplays US Senate rejecting bill on special status
India today downplayed the US Senate rejecting a key amendment recognising the country as "global strategic and defence partner", saying it would be "premature" to speculate about its final content.
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The US had recognised India as a "major defence partner" in a joint statement issued during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit there last week.
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"We have seen media reports about non-inclusion of an India-related amendment in the consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the US Senate.
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"The preparation of NDAA in the US Congress involves approval of different versions in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and their reconciliation to evolve a single consensual text, which is again put to vote in both chambers.
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"The 2017 NDAA is in the process of its formulation and it would be premature to speculate about its final content," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
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He also noted that preparation of NDAA is a process distinct from the decision of the US Government to recognise India as a Major Defence Partner.
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"This was an executive decision and already announced in the India-US Joint Statement of June 7. A number of Senators and Congressmen have moved proposals that only seek to reinforce this decision of the US Government.
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"It reflects the bipartisan support in the US Congress for stronger defence cooperation between India and the US," he added.
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The US Senate failed to recognise India as a "global strategic and defence partner" of the US after a key amendment necessary to modify its export control regulations could not be passed.
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Top Republican senator John McCain had 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.
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The US had recognised India as a "major defence partner" in a joint statement issued after 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.
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NDAA was passed by the Senate with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 85-13. But some of the key amendments – even though they had bipartisan support.