The U.S. has signed four foundational agreements with India.

On Oct. 26, 2020, the US and India signed the fourth agreement on advancing defense trade, the first of which had been signed in 2002.

On Oct. 26, 2020, the US and India signed the fourth agreement on advancing defense trade, the first of which had been signed in 2002. The United States signs ‘foundational or enabling agreements’ with its defense partners. These agreements govern the nature and scope of U.S. defense partnerships. Partners enhance the capabilities of the U.S. military in distant places by sharing information, platforms, and logistics. In return, the countries in agreement receive strictly controlled advanced military and communication technology seamlessly.

The recent agreement to be signed was on Oct. 26, 2020. The U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper with Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) at the U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue at New Delhi, India.

The two sides considered critical issues such as ways to expand the close relationship between the militaries of both the countries and the broader problems of mutual interest in the Indo-Pacific region in the 2+2 dialogue.

The first agreement to be signed was the GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement) in 2002, LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) in 2016, COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) in 2018, and BECA in 2020. The two countries have four agreements that cover areas of military information, logistics exchange, compatibility, and security between them.

The GSOMIA provides specific measures to ensure security standards for safeguarding critical information shared by the U.S. with India. LEMOA allows both countries to replenish each other’s designated military facilities. COMCASA enables the two countries to share communication and exchange information on approved equipment during bilateral and multinational training exercises and operations. The BECA allows the exchange of unclassified and controlled geospatial products, topographical, nautical and aeronautical data, products, and services between India and the U.S. National Geospatial Agency.