Barack Obama signs $618 billion defence budget for 2017 to boosts security cooperation with India

Barack Obama signs $618 billion defence budget for 2017 to boosts security cooperation with India US President Barack Obama has signed a $618 billion defence policy bill for 2017 on December 23, 2016, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to enhance security cooperation with India. The National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), which was passed by both the House and the Senate with veto-proof

majorities earlier in December.. NDAA will also refocus security assistance to Pakistan and conditions nearly half of the funding to Pakistan on a certification from the Secretary of Defence that Pakistan is taking demonstrable steps against the Haqqani Network in Pakistani territory.The bill authorises a total of $618.7 billion in spending, including a troop pay raise of 2.1 per cent, though Obama has only requested for a 1.6 per cent pay raise. It also calls for $3.2 billion more in base defence funding plus an additional $5.8 billion in White House-requested war dollars. The new bill authorises 4,76,000 active duty soldiers, 16,000 more than requested, and 185,000 Marines, 3,000 more than requested.