Seen in the context of the fact that India obtained a “major defence partner” designation from the United States last June, LEMOA represents logical progression in bilateral ties.
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With prior pacts, through LEMOA, ultimately to CISMOA and BECA, India increasingly can either buy (and use), from the U.S. or others or make itself, top-of-the-line technology for its air force and navy to stand up to China’s, particularly in the Indian Ocean.
“Signing of LEMOA is a fundamental departure from India’s time-tested policy of strategic military neutrality”, Congress party spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
Washington has for always been seeking logistics support agreement with India as part of its efforts to deepen and widen security cooperation in the region in the light of China asserting its maritime claims in the South China Sea and beyond. However, the carefully written clauses of case by case permission and categorical denial that this is an agreement for sharing of bases meant Modi govt also tried to assuage concerns inside the country that India may be yanked into the global war vortex with US. “It’s not a basing agreement of any kind, but it does make the logistics of joint operations so much easier and so much more efficient”, he said.
The agreement will significantly enhance the operational capacity of the Indian Armed Forces, including in their response to humanitarian crises or disaster relief, said the government.
China need not fear from stronger India-US ties after the two countries inked a key logistics defence pact, the Obama Administration has said.
He said, in the agreement there is no provision for setting up a base in India.
India has formally become a military ally of the U.S. after signing a Logistics Agreement that will allow American armed forces to access and use Indian military bases, the CPI-M said on Tuesday.
US-India Business Council official Benjamin Schwartz was quoted by media sources as saying: “For years, there has been tremendous misinformation put out into the Indian press about these agreements”.
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Such a nature of cooperation would also run the risk of India letting itself become party to conflicts with all their attendant adverse consequences, including India’s relations with the countries in such conflict zones. Secretary Carter and Minister Parrikar also agreed to continue to their close consultation on “Make in India” proposals. Experts say the agreement will aid such humanitarian assistance in future.
