The United States and India have reached an agreement for their militaries to use each other’s land, air and naval bases for fix and resupply, a step towards building defence ties as they seek to counter the growing maritime assertiveness of China.
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In an editorial written ahead of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter signing a logistics agreement, state-run Global Times said India may loose strategic independence if it leans towards the US.
But Mr Parrikar summed up the change in priorities – strategic and military – in his opening statement at the joint press conference with Mr Carter at Washington: “Indeed, defence cooperation between India and the usa has never been stronger than it is today”.
Appreciating the USA government’s decision, Parrikar said: “In our discussions today, we looked at how this could provide further energy and momentum to our partnership on defence technology and manufacturing”. LEMOA is one of the four foundational agreements that the U.S. pursues with its defence partners. He would also interact with American defence industry representatives at an event organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC). “And a very substantial advance over just a few months ago”, Carter told Pentagon reporters at a news conference along with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
“This agreement will also cause serious misgivings, unless explained and justified, among India’s traditional partners and time tested allies, regionally and globally”, he said.
The two countries also signed two other pacts that would allow for secure communications and the exchange of nautical and other data. “We appreciate the support from United States in our efforts to eliminate terrorism in India’s neighborhood”, Mr Parrikar added.
Both the leaders made it clear that the logistics agreement did not allow the basing of U.S. troops in India. “It’s basically logistics support”. “That initiative grasps hands with Prime Minister Modi’s Make in India campaign”, he said.
Congress, which had appeared to be putting off the agreement while in power, and vocally opposed it when India and U.S. announced their “in principle” agreement in April, made no response till Tuesday evening.
Last year, the USA and India signed a 10-year defense framework agreement, a step towards strengthening their security relationship.
They commended the recent completion of the naval exercise MALABAR with Japan and India’s participation in the Rim-of-the-Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise in Hawaii, as well as the Red Flag Air Force Exercise in Alaska.
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Parrikar clarified that the new deal would not allow for United States bases to be set up in India. The agreement marks a significant leap forward in defence cooperation between the two countries.
