Key US panel approves law to counter Beijing

Washington, July 16

Seeking to strengthen America’s ties with Quad nations — India, Australia and Japan and countries in Southeast Asia — a key US Congressional committee has passed a legislation aimed at addressing the challenges posed by China. The House Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Ensuring American Global Leadership and Engagement or EAGLE Act at its meeting here on Thursday.

The legislation alongwith other things includes key provisions that will strengthen American diplomacy and leadership in the strategically important Indo-Pacific region, including in response to the challenges presented by China.

“I have often said the United States policy towards China should be to engage in competition when necessary, strengthening our sources of strength at home, and also define what it means for China to ‘cheat’ by strengthening international institutions, laws and norms,” said Congressman Joaquin Castro.

“The EAGLE Act does just that, providing the United States government the tools and direction to protect our interests in the Indo-Pacific,” the Democratic lawmaker said.

The Bill urges the US government to strengthen its engagement with allies and partners in this critical part of the Indo-Pacific and includes provisions to strengthen people-to-people engagement between the United States and the nations of Southeast Asia. — PTI