21 MARCH 2021
21 MARCH 2021
INDIA – US DEFENCE COOPERATION
The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with U S Secretary of Defence General Lloyd James Austin and decided to intensify the defence cooperation with the US Commands in the Indo-Pacific Region.
The bilateral discussions included “military-to-military engagement across services, information sharing, cooperation in emerging sectors of defence and mutual logistics support”.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin said:
“India in particular is an increasingly important partner among today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics. I reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive and forward looking defence partnership with India as a central pillar to our approach to the region”.
Earlier, Foundation agreements such as LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA were already signed between the two nations and bilateral military partnerships will be strengthened in the coming days.
The LEMOA or the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement was signed in August 2016 between India and US to use each others’ bases for refuelling and replenishment purposes.
The agreement is purely logistical and useful for Navy-to-Navy Cooperation between the two countries.
The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) is one of the four foundational agreements signed in September, 2018 to use the facilities of US encrypted communications equipment and systems.
The Military commanders, Aircrafts and Ships can communicate through secure Networks in peace and war.
The other agreement, the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial cooperation (BECA) enables both countries to share the geospatial information on maps and satellites for defence purposes.
Geospatial information is highly vital during wars locating targets and allows India to use the advanced network of US geospatial information.
The US Defence Secretary’s visit seems to be very crucial as it comes in the midst of India’s plans to acquire the Russian S-400 missile defence systems in the coming months.
Moreover, a collective agreement was resolved during the Leaders’ Quad Summit to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with U S Secretary of Defence General Lloyd James Austin and decided to intensify the defence cooperation with the US Commands in the Indo-Pacific Region.
The bilateral discussions included “military-to-military engagement across services, information sharing, cooperation in emerging sectors of defence and mutual logistics support”.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd James Austin said:
“India in particular is an increasingly important partner among today’s rapidly shifting international dynamics. I reaffirm our commitment to a comprehensive and forward looking defence partnership with India as a central pillar to our approach to the region”.
Earlier, Foundation agreements such as LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA were already signed between the two nations and bilateral military partnerships will be strengthened in the coming days.
The LEMOA or the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement was signed in August 2016 between India and US to use each others’ bases for refuelling and replenishment purposes.
The agreement is purely logistical and useful for Navy-to-Navy Cooperation between the two countries.
The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) is one of the four foundational agreements signed in September, 2018 to use the facilities of US encrypted communications equipment and systems.
The Military commanders, Aircrafts and Ships can communicate through secure Networks in peace and war.
The other agreement, the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial cooperation (BECA) enables both countries to share the geospatial information on maps and satellites for defence purposes.
Geospatial information is highly vital during wars locating targets and allows India to use the advanced network of US geospatial information.
The US Defence Secretary’s visit seems to be very crucial as it comes in the midst of India’s plans to acquire the Russian S-400 missile defence systems in the coming months.
Moreover, a collective agreement was resolved during the Leaders’ Quad Summit to maintain a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region.