India and United States sign long-awaited military logistics agreement

Opposition parties in India have expressed concerns over an agreement between India and United States to allow the two countries to use of each other’s military bases.

The signing of the agreement will “make the logistics of joint operations so much easier and so much more efficient”, USA defense secretary Ash Carter said in a news briefing with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday.

The U.S. and India’s government have signed an agreement on the use of each other’s land, air and naval bases for fix and resupply in support of efforts towards the development of further defense ties, Reuters reported Tuesday.

The CPM politburo too strongly condemned the signing of LEMOA.

With prior pacts, thru 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.

“We and India share the principled view that in matters of freedom of the seas and freedom of navigation, as in so many other matters. We will have to pay for the service, but the payment will be made later”, said Behera.

Addressing a joint press conference with Mr Carter, Mr Parrikar said that this is not an agreement to set up bases but to facilitate logistical support between the two militaries.

“This is undoubtedly a leap forward in US-India military cooperation”.

During the negotiations, the US sought to address Indian concerns about being drawn into USA conflicts and tweaked the agreement accordingly.

Ironically, Parrikar had indicated that India was not looking for assembly at all, instead it was more interested for a company to join with an Indian partner and to start manufacturing here by Transfer of Technology (ToT) in most of the items. Having LEMOA makes it much simpler for American naval and air forces to fight there. “We agreed to continue efforts to establish a fast and efficient framework to encourage tie-ups between our defence companies”, Parrikar said. Six years ago, President Barack Obama called the ties with India “the defining partnership for America in the 21st century”.

The US, on its part, will offer India a gift for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Specifically, Indian Defense Mister Manohar Parrikar will sign the deal during a two-day visit in Washington.

The Chinooks will fill a crucial gap in the IAF’s heavy-lift capabilities as it now operates a solitary Soviet-origin Mi-26 chopper to deliver payloads to high altitudes. India continues to believe that it is a Win-Win agreement and India will get benefits from American worldwide support and latest technologies in the long run. The Chinook helicopters were introduced in 1962 and earlier variants were deployed in Vietnam. Seen in the context of the fact that India obtained a “major defence partner” designation from the U.S. last June, LEMOA represents logical progression in bilateral ties. Though both the countries clarified that it will not involve in setting up of military bases, the agreement is believed to strengthen defence cooperation between the countries.

Kerry is also expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (31 August).

India and the United States signed a major defense agreement on Monday in Washington called Logistics Exchange Memorandum Of Agreement (LEMOA).