2019 – Posted in: Daily News

THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORISATION ACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020

For: Mains

Topics covered: Details about The National Defense Authorisation Act for the fiscal year 2020, Background, Benefits for India, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

News Flash

The U.S. Senate has passed a legislative provision.

The provision brings India at par with America’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally for increasing defense cooperation.

The National Defense Authorisation Act for the fiscal year 2020, that contained such a proposal is passed by the U.S. Senate.

Benefits for India

The Act provides for increased U.S.-India defense cooperation in the Indian Ocean in the areas of humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism, maritime security, and counter-piracy.
If the bill passed, it would clear the way to provide state-of-the-art weapons and sensitive technology to India.
It will increase India’s status.

Background

The US recognized India as a “Major Defence Partner” in 2016.
It allows India to buy more advanced and sensitive technologies from America.
In 2018, the US granted India the status of the Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) country.
India is the only South Asian nation to be given the designation along with the US’ NATO allies.
The move will ease export controls for high technology product sales to India.

National Defense Authorisation Act

The NDAA is the name for each of a series of United States federal laws specifying the annual budget and expenditures of the U.S. Department of Defense.
The first NDAA was passed in 1961.

The U.S. Congress oversees the defense budget primarily through two yearly bills

The National Defense Authorization Act
Defense appropriations bills

The authorization bill determines the agencies responsible for defense and establishes funding levels.
It also makes agencies responsible for sets the policies under which money will be spent.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

It is also known as OTAN (Organisation du traité de l’Atlantique nord)
NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries.
The North Atlantic Treaty was signed on 4 April 1949.
NATO’s purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.
NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
NATO promotes democratic values. It enables members to consult and cooperate on defense and security-related issues.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s headquarters are located in Haren, Brussels, Belgium.

Source: Indian Express

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