January 2, 2019:

US President Donald Trump has signed an Act designed to counter encroaching influence and growing threat from China and to reinvigorate the US leadership in Indo-Pacific region.

Asia Reassurance Initiative Act (ARIA) allocates a budget of $1.5 billion over a five-year period to enhance the cooperation with America’s strategic regional allies in the region.

New law cites,"China’s illegal construction and militarization of artificial features in South China Sea and coercive economic practices”, and mandates actions for “countering China’s influence to undermine international system”.

Act notes,“increased presence throughout Southeast Asia of the Islamic State and other international terrorist organizations that threaten the United States”.

Law states that US “recognizes the vital role of the strategic partnership between the United States and India in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region” and “calls for strengthening and broadening of diplomatic, economic, and security ties between the United States and India”.

It reiterates US commitment to all “bilateral and security agreements and arrangements” between the two countries, including the New Framework for the United States-India Defense Relationship, and the United States-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative.

Stressing “designation of India as a major defense partner, which is unique to India,” new law states that this designation “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”.

The law also refers to Quadrilateral Security Dialogue between US, Australia, India, and Japan, calling it “vital to address pressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region in order to promote a rules-based order; respect for international law; and a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

It was passed by US Senate on December 4 and approved by the US Congress on December 12. It was one of the 13 Bills signed into law by President Trump on the last day of 2018.

Source New Indian Express

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