The main opposition Congress party described the agreement as fundamental departure from India’s time-tested policy of strategic military neutrality, while as Communist Party of India said with the agreement India has acquired formal status of a being a military ally to US.
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Parrikar also clarified that the agreement will not involve in setting up bases.
India and the United States signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) agreement in Washington on Monday.
“This is undoubtedly a leap forward in the US-India military cooperation”.
The future of the two foundational agreements – Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA); Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for Geospatial Intelligence – are part of the four foundational agreements being pushed by the U.S. for more than a decade now as part of its efforts to enhance defence ties with India.
Provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services from one Party to the other would be in return for either cash payment or the reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services.
Washington’s desire for deeper security cooperation with India had been complicated without the signing of the logistics agreement as well as two other pacts that would allow for secure communications and the exchange of nautical and other data. India’s major defence partner status allows it access to nearly 99% of the latest American defence technologies. Carter said the designation builds on the success of last year’s framework for the US-India defence relationship.
While India has adopted a prudent attitude so far refraining from joining U.S. alliance, some defence analysts expressed worries that India may lose strategic independence and warned that the pact may render New Delhi a “follower” of Washington, it said.
Carter said that the agreement is “fully mutual”, with neither nation obligated to do anything for the other, “operating together when we choose to”. “All patriotic Indians will reject such a subordinate role to USA imperialism”.
“What the signing of this shows is that the Modi government is willing to take and suffer the short-term political criticism of signing these things for the longer-term benefit of building the defense relationship with the United States”.
Both Parrikar and Carter went to make clear the logistics arrangement failed to allow for basing of USA troops. The US has been seeking Indian cooperation to counter China and seek maritime freedom through the vital trade waterway.
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Hoping that India will retain its independence, a leading Chinese daily warned on Tuesday that New Delhi may irritate Beijing if it “joins the United States alliance system”.
