US Congressman Ro Khanna bats for India in NATO plus

Adding India as the sixth country to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) plus would move New Delhi towards a Defense Security alignment with the United States," said American Congressman Ro Khanna.

In an exclusive interview, Khanna said that NATO Allies get quick approval on defence agreements and further said that the US have the same agreement with Australia, Japan New Zealand, Israel and South Korea.

"I have worked on trying to add India as the sixth country to that and that would facilitate and make it easier to have this growing Defense Partnership and make sure that we're moving India towards more of a Defense Security alignment with the United States and Russia. I introduced that two years ago. I'm going to continue to work on it. Hopefully, we can get that amendment passed in subsequent congresses," he added.

This comes after the United States (US) House of Representatives on July 14, approved an amendment with an overwhelming majority to the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) that proposes the deepening of India-US defence ties. This amendment was offered by Khanna, a progressive Democrat from California.

"The reason it's in the interests of the United States is we need a strong partnership with India. Defence partnership, a strategic partnership, especially because we are two democratic nations and with the rise of China and with the rise of Putin this alliance is critical for the United States," said the Indian American Congressman.

(ANI)