Posted 2/2/2024, 3:51:00 PM
US Lawmakers Briefly Delay Drone Sale to India Over Assassination Concerns Before Approving Deal
- Story about US lawmakers blocking drone sale to India to force investigation into alleged assassination plot emerges, then quickly dies down
- Lawmakers frequently use procedural tactics to delay/accelerate arms sales based on constituent pressure
- Attention focused on Congressional foreign relations committee members with Sikh constituents who often criticize India
- White House overcame any opposition because undermining the sale would hurt its China strategy and need for India's help in Indian Ocean
- General Atomics drone manufacturer lobbying, and avoiding reputation damage in India as unreliable military supplier also facilitated sale