US-India Drone Deal: Biden Notifies Congress Of Drone Sale To India; Lawmakers Have 30 days To Approve Or Reject
In the event of opposition, lawmakers retain the option to put a hold on the deal, seeking additional assurances and clarifications from the Biden administration
The Biden administration formally notified the US Congress of its intention to sell 31 MQ-9B High Altitude, Long Endurance (HALE) armed drones to India. This announcement came after a period of informal review, creating uncertainties about the deal's fate. Congress is now faced with a 30-day window to either approve the deal by taking no action or reject it through a formal congressional vote.
The notification, issued by the US State Department's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, was directed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Notably, concerns were raised as some lawmakers reportedly sought to link the drone deal's clearance to India's cooperation with an ongoing US investigation. This investigation involves allegations against Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta, currently held in Czech custody on a US extradition request related to an alleged murder-for-hire plot targeting a Khalistani activist.
The $3 billion deal, initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden in June 2023, encompasses the sale of 31 MQ-9B UAVs. The distribution includes 15 units for the Indian Navy, and eight each for the Indian Air Force and Indian Army. This government-to-government agreement operates through the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) process, obligating congressional approval within the stipulated 30-day timeframe.
Also Read: Fake Cristiano Ronaldo Draws Crowds In China, Signs Autographs; Video Of Doppelganger Goes Viral
In the event of opposition, lawmakers retain the option to put a hold on the deal, seeking additional assurances and clarifications from the Biden administration. The authority to initiate such a hold rests with key committee members, including the Chair and ranking members of the House's Foreign Affairs Committee, the Armed Services Committee, and the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee and Armed Services Committee. Such a hold, as demonstrated in a prior case involving US subsidies for F-16 fighter jets for Pakistan in 2016, can have a profound impact on the deal's outcome. In that instance, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman's hold on US subsidies led to the eventual failure of the deal.
With the clock ticking, Congress faces the crucial task of deciding the fate of this significant defense transaction between the US and India. The complex interplay of diplomatic, security, and investigatory factors adds layers of complexity to the decision-making process.
