The US Congress on Friday passed a nearly $700 billion Defence budget for 2018 which imposes tougher conditions on Pakistan for military and security assistance while seeking advancement in military cooperation with major defence partner India.
The 2018 National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) sailed through both the chambers of the Congress — House of Representatives and the Senate — by a voice vote.
It now heads to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign it into law, which he is expected to do before the Thanksgiving holidays. The budget also accommodates the last minute additional White House’s financial request implementing its new South Asia strategy.