Context: United States and India seem to be finally ready to sign an agreement to share geospatial defense intelligence. Two sides might ink the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) during a virtual “2+2” foreign and defense ministers/secretaries’ dialogue.

About:

• BECA is the last of the four “foundational” agreements that underpin deepening defense cooperation between the two countries.
• The first was a 2002 agreement to safeguard shared military information, followed by logistics and secure-communication pacts in 2016 and 2018, respectively.
• BECA will allow the United States to share satellite and other sensor data with India in order to improve the Indian military’s targeting and navigation capabilities.

Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)

• It is a facilitating agreement that establishes basic terms, conditions, and procedures for reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services between the armed forces of India and the United States.
• Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services include food, water, billeting, transportation, petroleum, oils, lubricants, clothing, communication services, medical services, storage services, training services, spare parts and components, repair and maintenance services, calib calibration services, and port services.
• Reciprocal logistic support would be used exclusively during authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
• Logistics support for any other cooperative efforts shall only be provided on a case-by-case basis through prior mutual consent of the Parties, consistent with their respective laws, regulations and policies.
• Provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services from one Party to the other would be in return for either cash payment or the reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services.
• The Agreement does not create any obligations on either Party to carry out any joint activity. It does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements.
• The Agreement will significantly enhance the operational capacity of the Indian Armed Forces, including in their response to humanitarian crises or disaster relief

COMCASA stands for Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement

• It is one of the four foundational agreements that the U.S. signs with allies and close partners to facilitate interoperability between militaries and sale of high end technology.

http://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/india-and-the-us-sign-the-logistics-exchange-memorandum-of-agreement-lemoa/

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/us-keen-on-finalising-geo-spatial-cooperation-at-22-dialogue-in-october/article32633882.ece#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20is%20keen%20that,defence%20source%20said%20on%20Thursday.

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