<p>A day after the US State Department pledged the sale of the&nbsp;MQ-9B to India boosting its maritime security through its advanced capabilities, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also cleared&nbsp;the deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>US Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland and the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated "his approval of the sale of MQ-9 drones to India."</p>

<p>However, the deal still requires ratification by the US Congress to be fully approved for sale to India. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Thursday (Feb 1) delivered the required certification notifying US Congress of the sale of 31 of these Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).&nbsp;The deal involving MQ-9B drones comes at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion.<br />
<br />
"The US-India partnership plays a key role in Indo-Pacific stability, including through regional mechanisms such as the Quad. I support deepening our bilateral relationship with India as long as that partnership is based on mutual trust and respect," Cardin said in the statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/red-sea-indian-navy-bolsters-presence-with-deployments-off-djibouti-gulf-of-aden-and-east-coast-of-somalia-686574">Red Sea: Indian Navy bolsters presence with deployments off Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, and East Coast of Somalia</a></p>

<p>Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, after DSCA notified Congress of the sale, reportedly said,&nbsp;"This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the government of India over the coming months."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Notably, in the notification, DSCA said,&nbsp;"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/india-maldives-agree-to-phased-replacement-of-military-personnel-from-island-686513">India, Maldives agree to phased replacement of military personnel from island</a></p>

<p>The procurement of these drones by India comes as the country is looking to enhance its maritime security. This also comes at a crucial juncture as&nbsp;recent attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels have raised concerns globally and exposed the vulnerability of maritime trade routes to&nbsp;threats.</p>

<section>
<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/maldives-india-ties-nose-dive-inside-south-asia-686566">Maldives-India ties Nose Dive | Inside South Asia</a></strong></p>

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<p>These types of attacks can disrupt the free flow of commerce through acts of piracy and attacks on vessels. In response to these challenges, India has not only expressed its concern but has also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to address the evolving security situation in the maritime domain. Therefore, the sale of these drones to India will be a crucial step towards ensuring India's maritime security.&nbsp;</p>
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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A day after the US State Department pledged the sale of the MQ-9B to India boosting its maritime security through its advanced capabilities, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also cleared the deal.

A day after the US State Department pledged the sale of the MQ-9B to India boosting its maritime security through its advanced capabilities, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has also cleared the deal. US Senator Ben Cardin, a Democrat from Maryland and the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated "his approval of the sale of MQ-9 drones to India." However, the deal still requires ratification by the US Congress to be fully approved for sale to India. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on Thursday (Feb 1) delivered the required certification notifying US Congress of the sale of 31 of these Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The deal involving MQ-9B drones comes at an estimated cost of $3.99 billion. "The US-India partnership plays a key role in Indo-Pacific stability, including through regional mechanisms such as the Quad. I support deepening our bilateral relationship with India as long as that partnership is based on mutual trust and respect," Cardin said in the statement. Also Read | Red Sea: Indian Navy bolsters presence with deployments off Djibouti, Gulf of Aden, and East Coast of Somalia Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, after DSCA notified Congress of the sale, reportedly said, "This was the initial step today, notifying Congress. The exact timeline of the delivery is something that we will explore with the government of India over the coming months." Notably, in the notification, DSCA said, "This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the US-Indian strategic relationship and to improve the security of a major defence partner which continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia region." Also Read | India, Maldives agree to phased replacement of military personnel from island The procurement of these drones by India comes as the country is looking to enhance its maritime security. This also comes at a crucial juncture as recent attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels have raised concerns globally and exposed the vulnerability of maritime trade routes to threats. Watch | Maldives-India ties Nose Dive | Inside South Asia × These types of attacks can disrupt the free flow of commerce through acts of piracy and attacks on vessels. In response to these challenges, India has not only expressed its concern but has also reaffirmed its commitment to working with international partners to address the evolving security situation in the maritime domain. Therefore, the sale of these drones to India will be a crucial step towards ensuring India's maritime security. (With inputs from agencies)

Sale of MQ-9 drones to India cleared by US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Congressional Reception jointly hosted by Foreign Relations Committees and India Caucus in Washington DC on Wednesday.<br />
<br />
Addressing the gathering, Modi called for India-US collaboration to solve issues like global warming and climate change.<br />
<br />
&quot;Be it global problems like climate change, global warming, poverty or heath concerns, we can together find solutions for the world. We must use our skills, our intelligence, our resources and commit ourselves to move forward. I think my journey this time, my two-day visit to the United States has only reinforced this commitment,&quot; said Modi.<br />
<br />
Earlier in the day, Modi became the fifth Indian to address the joint session of US Congress.<br />
<br />
Modi called for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States as he stressed on the importance of warming ties between the two countries.<br />
<br />
He dedicated much of the speech to the importance of fighting militancy, thanking Congress for US support after a Pakistan-based military group&#39;s rampage in Mumbai killed 166 people in 2008.<br />
<br />
He leavened the speech to lawmakers, the first such address by an international leader since Pope Francis&#39; in September, with jokes about Congress&#39; bitter partisan divide and yoga. But Modi used it to make serious points about India&#39;s neighbour and arch-rival Pakistan and regional concerns about Chinese expansionism.<br />
<br />
In a 45-minute speech interrupted by cheers and at least eight standing ovations, the 65-year-old Indian leader said deeper US-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists.<br />
<br />
Modi is on the US leg of an international tour. On Tuesday, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House, where the two leaders said India has agreed to work toward joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year and discussed security and cyber-security issues.<br />
<br />
The visit, two years after Modi became prime minister, capped an improving relationship between New Delhi and the United States. Before he was elected, Modi was barred from even entering the country because of concerns about his handling of 2002 riots that killed at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims.<br />
<br />
After the Congressional reception, Modi left for a day-long visit to Mexico. He will arrive in New Delhi this Friday.

Modi said that US and India should deepen their security cooperation and isolate anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended Congressional Reception jointly hosted by Foreign Relations Committees and India Caucus in Washington DC on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, Modi called for India-US collaboration to solve issues like global warming and climate change. "Be it global problems like climate change, global warming, poverty or heath concerns, we can together find solutions for the world. We must use our skills, our intelligence, our resources and commit ourselves to move forward. I think my journey this time, my two-day visit to the United States has only reinforced this commitment," said Modi. Earlier in the day, Modi became the fifth Indian to address the joint session of US Congress. Modi called for a closer security relationship between his country and the United States as he stressed on the importance of warming ties between the two countries. He dedicated much of the speech to the importance of fighting militancy, thanking Congress for US support after a Pakistan-based military group's rampage in Mumbai killed 166 people in 2008. He leavened the speech to lawmakers, the first such address by an international leader since Pope Francis' in September, with jokes about Congress' bitter partisan divide and yoga. But Modi used it to make serious points about India's neighbour and arch-rival Pakistan and regional concerns about Chinese expansionism. In a 45-minute speech interrupted by cheers and at least eight standing ovations, the 65-year-old Indian leader said deeper US-Indian security cooperation should isolate anyone who harbours, supports or sponsors terrorists. Modi is on the US leg of an international tour. On Tuesday, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House, where the two leaders said India has agreed to work toward joining the Paris Agreement on climate change this year and discussed security and cyber-security issues. The visit, two years after Modi became prime minister, capped an improving relationship between New Delhi and the United States. Before he was elected, Modi was barred from even entering the country because of concerns about his handling of 2002 riots that killed at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims. After the Congressional reception, Modi left for a day-long visit to Mexico. He will arrive in New Delhi this Friday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends Congressional Reception in Washington DC

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Sale of MQ-9 drones to India cleared by US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends Congressional Reception in Washington DC