The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that proposes to advance defence cooperation with India.<br/><br/>An amendment in this regard, moved by Indian-American Congressman Ami Bera, was adopted by a voice vote by the House as part of the National Defense Authorisation Act, NDAA, 2018.<br/><br/>The amendment passed by the House requires the Secretary of Defence, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to develop a strategy for advancing defence cooperation between the United States and India. <br/><br/>As passed by the House, NDAA-2018 asks the State Department and the Pentagon to develop a strategy that addresses common security challenges, the role of American partners and allies in India-US defence relationship, and role of the defence technology and trade initiative.<br/><br/>The previous NDAA-2017 had designated India as a major defence partner which brings India at par with closest<br/>American partners in terms of defence trade and technology transfer.