India, US ink key defence accord

Washington, August 29

India and the US today signed an important agreement that will make the two nations logistical allies and enable both militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

Welcoming the signing of the bilateral ‘Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement’ (LEMOA), Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said the pact will facilitate opportunities for “practical engagement and exchange”. The two reached an agreement “in principle” in April, but hadn’t finalised the details yet.

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.

“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,” said a joint statement after the pact was signed.

The visit — their sixth official interaction to date — demonstrates the importance both sides place on strengthening defence ties across many areas: from strategic and regional cooperation, to deepened military-to-military exchanges, to expanded collaboration on defence technology and innovation, it said.

Carter reaffirmed US support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Earlier today, Parrikar was accorded an enhanced honor cordon by Carter after he arrived at the Pentagon here. — Agencies