Pact takes Indo-US defense ties to the next level
NEW DELHI (TIP): India and the U.S. on October 27 inked a landmark defense agreement that will allow sharing of high-end military technology, classified satellite data, and critical information between the two countries. The signing of the long-negotiated Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) during the third edition of the ‘2+2’ dialogue between the two strategic partners also signals further boosting of bilateral defense and military ties. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held the talks with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper. Both sides were assisted by their top military and security officials. The United States will support the Indian people defend sovereignty and liberty against threats, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said, following the conclusion of the pact, which comes in the backdrop of India’s tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh. Pompeo also attacked the Chinese Communist Party and said it is not a friend of rule of law and democracy.
The inking of the BECA completes the finalization of four key pacts that were identified as crucial to significantly expand the strategic ties between the two countries.
The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed by the two countries in 2002. The GSOMIA provides for specific measures to ensure security standards for safeguarding critical information shared by the U.S. with India.
The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), inked in 2016, allows the militaries of the two countries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies and also provide for deeper cooperation. In 2018, India and the U.S. signed another pact called COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement), which provides for interoperability between the two militaries and enables sale of high end technology from the U.S. to India. About BECA, officials said the agreement will give India access to classified geo-spatial data as well as critical information having significant military applications from the U.S.
(Agencies)