Lawmakers Seek to Fast-Track Gun Sales to India

India and the United States sought to strengthen their relationship this week. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington to meet with President Joe Biden (D), and lawmakers welcomed the visit. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) celebrated the visit. As well, in Congress, India Caucus Members introduced a bill that would fast-track gun sales to India.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington was well received as Haley took to social media to affirm the partnership that the U.S. and India share.

Haley called their relationship "personal," saying that "India is an ally that shares our democratic values." "We have so much in common, from business & cultural ties to mutual security interests," she explained, adding that "it's critical that we continue to grow our partnership."

One such way that both countries can continue to support each other is through weapon sales, which the U.S. is looking to facilitate with India.

The India Caucus Members, a bipartisan caucus that includes Florida Rep. Matt Waltz (R), introduced legislation that would fast-track U.S. weapon sales to India. According to a press release from Waltz's office, the bill "would pace India on equal footing with other U.S. partners and allies by streamlining and accelerating the review and sales process for Foreign Military Sales and exports under the Arms Export Control Act."

In a statement, Rep. Waltz detailed that India and the U.S. "are bonded by shared national security interests and democratic values which is why it's so important we continue to strengthen our global partnership to address the threats of today."

Waltz went on to explain that "as our military continue to conduct joint military exercises and coordinate through the Qaudrilateral Security Dialogue, streamlining military sales will help our two nations bolster security in the Indo-Pacific region."

Haley and Waltz have both worked together on raising awareness surrounding the relationship that the U.S. and India share.