India and the US signed an agreement on Monday, making the two nations logistical allies and enabling both the militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
Signed by Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter, the bilateral ‘Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement’ (LEMOA) is a pact that will facilitate opportunities for “practical engagement and exchange”.
LEMOA facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies, and services between the US and Indian militaries on a reimbursable basis, and provides a framework to govern them.
According to a joint statement released after the pact was signed, “They agreed on the importance (that) this framework will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technology and trade cooperation. To this end, the US has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners.”
Also the statement reflected that the defence ties between two countries are based on their “shared values and interests,” and their “abiding commitment to global peace and security.”
Under this new treaty, US has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners.
Welcoming India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Carter reaffirmed US support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which has been a long standing issue in the global and as well as the national front.
Carter and Parrikar further announced their agreement to further consultations in the area, including through the next Maritime Security Dialogue, scheduled later this year.
Defence minister during his stay in the US will visit Boeing’s manufacturing facility at Philadelphia along with interacting with American defence industry representatives at an event organised by the US-India Business Council (USIBC).
