UNITED STATES-INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP.

SEC. 204. UNITED STATES-INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP. (a) In General.—The United States Government— (1) recognizes the vital role of the strategic partnership between the United States and India in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; (2) calls for the strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and India; and (3) is committed to— (A) the New Framework for the United States-India Defense Relationship, done at Arlington, Virginia on June 28, 2005; (B) the United States-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative, launched in 2012; (C) the Joint Strategic Vision for the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region, announced on January 25, 2015; (D) the United States-India Joint Statement on Prosperity Through Partnership, issued on June 26, 2017; and (E) all related and subsequent bilateral and security agreements and arrangements concluded as of the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) India as Major Defense Partner.—Congress makes the following findings: (1) Section 1292(a)(1)(A) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat. 2559; 22 U.S.C. 2751 note) requires the recognition of India as a major defense partner. (2) The designation of India as a major defense partner, which is unique to India— (A) institutionalizes the progress made to facilitate defense trade and technology sharing between the United States and India; (B) elevates defense trade and technology cooperation between the United States and India to a level commensurate with the closest allies and partners of the United States; (C) facilitates technology sharing between the United States and India, including license-free access to a wide range of dual-use technologies, after taking into account national security concerns; and (D) facilitates joint exercises, coordination on defense strategy and policy, military exchanges, and port calls in support of defense cooperation between the United States and India.