India-US Relations: Major Defence Partner

US had designated India as the Major defence partner in 2016. This was in accordance with the efforts to strengthen bilateral security cooperation.

Benefits of the designation:

• The designation institutionalises the progress made to facilitate defence trade and technology-sharing with India to a level at par with that of the United States’ closest allies and partner.
• It ensures enduring cooperation into the future.
• The designation provides for easier transfer of technologies.

Pillars for the implementation:

One of the critical aspects for designation as Major defence partner is that it enables access for technology transfer and high-tech military hardware from the US. In order to facilitate this, a country has to be a signatory to three foundational defence pacts. These three agreements are meant to build basic ground work and promote interoperability between militaries by creating common standards and systems. They also guide sale and transfer of high-end technologies.

This includes:

• Logistics Support Agreement.
• Communication and Information Security Memorandum Agreement.
• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation.

Logistics support agreement:

To address the concerns of India over logistics support agreement the modalities were slightly tweaked and the agreement was formulated under Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).

The agreement will primarily cover four areas such as:

• Port calls
• Joint exercises
• Training and Humanitarian Assistance
• Disaster Relief

Other requirement has to be agreed upon by both sides on a case-by-case basis. LEMOA gives both India and US access to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of refueling and replenishment.

Communication and Information Security Memorandum Agreement

To facilitate the implementation of this agreement India and US have signed the Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA). The agreement was slightly altered keeping in mind the India specific alterations.

COMCASA provides for a legal framework for the transfer of encrypted communication security equipment from the US to India. The agreement will provide India with access to high-end secured and encrypted communication equipment which are installed on American platforms obtained by Indian Armed Forces. This will give India access to advanced technologies from USA.

Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation

Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation would facilitate exchange of geospatial information between India and United States for both military and civilian use. The previous UPA government did not agree with provisons of BECA. The negotiations are yet to begin to address the Indian concerns with the agreement.