WASHINGTON: A bipartisan amendment to Intelligence Authorization Act 2016 seeking expansion of trilateral national security cooperation among the US, Israel and India has been passed by the US House of Representatives.
The amendment, moved by a group of top American lawmakers, requires a report from the Director of National Intelligence on the possibilities for growing national security cooperation among the three countries.
“While the US already has robust national security partnerships with both India and Israel, there are many areas where opportunities exist to develop and further grow these critical relationships,” said Congressman Joe Crowley, one of the key architect of the amendment that was passed yesterday.
“This amendment demonstrates the commitment of Congress to ensuring that our national security strategies include expanding our cooperation with India and Israel, two of our most important friends in their respective regions,” he said.
Among other sponsors of the amendment were Congressmen Eliot Engel, Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee; Ami Bera, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans; Steve Chabot, a senior member of House Foreign Affairs Committee; George Holding, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans; David Schweikert and Jerrold Nadler.
In the debate on the House floor, Crowley defended the amendment and praised India as a rising power.
Describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Israel as very positive being the first trip by any Indian Prime Minister to the country, Crowley said the amendment seeks to enhance cooperation between the world’s oldest, world’s largest democracy and the democracy in Middle East.
He highlighted the commonalities of values and interest between the nations and said that there are many avenues for cooperation between India and Israel (scientific, research, national security, defense).
“The US, along with two of our most important allies, India and Israel, have all faced the threat of international terrorism,” said Bera.
“With the current instability in the Middle East and parts of South Asia, we should work together to enhance our security cooperation to continue to combat the global threat of terrorism. This amendment expresses Congress’ dedication to making sure that happens,” he said. Intelligence Committee Chair Congressman Devin Nunes, who spoke on behalf of India Caucus co-chair George Holding, said that he supported the amendment.
“With Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to Israel – a first for an Indian Prime Minister – we should seize on the opportunity to expand trilateral cooperation even further,” Engel said.
“This measure would make sure our intelligence community is taking a hard look at areas of potential collaboration so that we can continue to build on this important partnership,” he added.
Israel and India are critical allies in regions of the world that are extremely important to our national security, said Chabot.
“This bipartisan amendment encourages the expansion of cooperative national security efforts with Israel and India, which will not only bolster our respective relationships, but also enhance the safety and security of all three nations,” he said.
“By strengthening our intelligence cooperation with two proven partners in Israel and India, we can expand on our current cooperation to address the emerging threats all of our nations collectively face,” Holding said.
“The US, Israel, India share many common interest and values, this amendment will ensure that we continue to build upon those shared values to support greater cooperation among our nations,” said Schweikert.
“India and Israel are two of our most important partners on national security,” said Nadler, adding that this is a partnership that must be supported through continued cooperation and collaboration.–PTI
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