Cong, Left fire missiles at LEMOA; Parrikar says pact ideal

The process has sped up under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which over the past two years has striven to transform the ties between India and the US from just a buyer-seller defense relationship into a deeper strategic alliance in the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.

However in a statement, the Defence Ministry has said the agreement does not create any obligation on either party to carry out any joint activity and does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements. This is a major step forward in closer bilateral defence cooperation; however, both sides clarified it will not involve setting up of military bases.

LEMOA facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the USA and Indian militaries on a reimbursable basis and provides a framework to govern them.

“It’s why the secretary (of State) and the secretary of commerce, (Penny) Pritzker, are there in New Delhi”, he said. Moscow has been leery of the increasing India-US bonhomie for the past decade and made its displeasure clear at being displaced as the primary military hardware supplier by the US a number of times.

While the Left parties criticised the move, saying it makes India formally an ally of the U.S., the Congress appeared more cautious with former Defence Minister A.K. Antony saying he would not comment before reading the agreement.

Acknowledging India’s positive contributions to regional security and stability, including in matters beyond the maritime space, Carter and Parrikar announced their agreement to further consultations in the area, including through the next Maritime Security Dialogue, scheduled later this year. The biggest benefit of signing the LEMOA is that it will strengthen India’s reach and beef up its capacity for far-sea operations – gaining access to U.S. military bases in the Indian Ocean such as Djibouti and Diego Garcia. “It raises a genuine and grave apprehension regarding India being unwarrantedly drawn into an operational military design in Asia Pacific Region and Middle East”, said COngress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala.

He had gone on to say, “I’ve read that, studied it very carefully you know … that’s an excellent basis for the implementation of the major defence partnership”.

After arriving from neighbouring Bangladesh, Kerry will take part in the “strategic and commercial dialogue” launched by US President Barack Obama and Modi past year to deepen economic and security cooperation. Accordingly, joint operations between the two militaries will become easier, paving the way for new synergies in the defence sector.

“But this does not imply we become a United States military ally”.

Legislation introduced by Republican elected officials that expresses a similar position is now being considered by the US Congress, which demonstrates unprecedented American political support for the US-India defense partnership. This message surely goes out to Indian listeners, some of whom remain wary that partnership with the United States will erode India’s longstanding policy independence.