India, US sign military logistics pact

India and the U.S signed the bilateral Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) that will give the militaries of both countries access to each other’s facilities for supplies and repairs.

Key Points

While it is an enabling agreement, LEMOA does not make logistical support automatic or obligatory for either party.

LEMOA does not involve allowing military bases either.Each case will require individual clearance. The services or supplies accessed will be on a reimbursable basis as per the new pact.

LEMOA is one of the four ‘foundational agreements’ that the U.S. enters into with its defence partners.

With LEMOA, India has signed two of the four. The first one in 2002 &ndash the General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).

Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for Geospatial Intelligence are the two pending ones.

The Key points of the Agreement

They agreed on the importance this framework will provide to facilitate innovative and advanced opportunities in defence technology and trade cooperation.

To this end, the United States has agreed to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners.

Secretary Carter welcomed India’s membership in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and reaffirmed U.S. support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), said the statement.

The designation of major defence partner allows defence trade and technology-sharing of a higher grade.

The designation also supports the two "important handshakes" between India and the United States.

The first handshake is strategic, as the U.S. rebalances to the Asia-Pacific, and India extends its reach towards east, in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The second handshake, is technological and is demonstrated in the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative.

Current Affairs 29th August, 2016
Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, June, 2016 Current Affairs Round Up Bullet Points, May, 2016

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