In a Historic move in its mutual relationship, India-US signed an important agreement to use each other’s land, air and naval bases for repair and resupply. This step can be seen as a great development toward reinforcing defence ties as they seek to counter an aggressive China.
At a press conference with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the agreement will allow the Indian and US navies to have an easier time supporting each other in joint operations and exercises and when providing humanitarian assistance.
What Both leaders said in their Joint Press Conference?
“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.
Mr carter said in his statement saying that, The signing of the agreement will “make the logistics of joint operations so much easier and so much more efficient.” Whereas Manohar Parikar said that “India and the United States have a shared interest in freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce as part of the rule-based order in (the) Indo-Pacific.”
Why is this agreement Historic and Important for Both the Countries?
This agreement can be seen as a milestone in the India-US defence relationship/Mutual relationship, because of the outsized political importance it had taken on in India. But this agreement raised the concerns in political environment India over whether if the country’s autonomy would be undermined. But both leaders made it clear that the logistics agreement did not allow the basing of US troops in India.
Washington’s desire for deeper security cooperation with India had been complicated without the signing of the logistics agreement as well as two other pacts that would allow secure communications and the exchange of nautical and other data. Both leaders mentioned the importance of the free flow of trade to both countries, without naming China.
