India’s Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar escorted by Pentagon Officials as he arrives at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, enroute to Washington, D.C., Aug. 28. Parrikar was on a three-day offcial visit to Pentagon. (Press Trust of India)

India and the U.S. signed an important agreement, Aug. 29, that will make the two nations logistical allies and enable both the militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, writes Lalit K. Jha. – @Siliconeer #Siliconeer #IndoUSTies #IndoUSRelations #IndoUSDefenseTies

Welcoming the signing of the bilateral ‘Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement’ (LEMOA), Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said the pact will facilitate opportunities for “practical engagement and exchange.”

LEMOA facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies, and services between the U.S. 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 defense technology and trade cooperation. To this end, the U.S. has agreed to elevate defense 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.

According to the statement, the defense ties between the two countries is based on their “shared values and interests,” and their “abiding commitment to global peace and security.”

During their meeting, Parrikar and Carter discussed the “wealth of progress” in bilateral cooperation and deepening strategic partnership between the United States and India.

The U.S. has agreed to elevate defense trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with its closest allies and partners.

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

Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar being welcomed by the U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter at the Pentagon, Aug. 29. (Press Trust of India)
Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar being welcomed by the U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter at the Pentagon, Aug. 29. (Press Trust of India)

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

Acknowledging India’s positive contributions to regional security and stability, including in matters beyond the maritime space, Carter and Parrikar announced their agreement to further consultations in the area, including through the next Maritime Security Dialogue, scheduled later this year.

During his stay in the U.S., Parrikar will visit Boeing’s manufacturing facility at Philadelphia. He would also interact with American defense industry representatives at an event organized by the U.S.-India Business Council.

Parrikar was accorded an enhanced honor cordon by Carter after he arrived at the Pentagon.

The enhanced honor is reserved for valued guests. During normal cordon, visitors are greeted at the Pentagon stairs and welcomed with handshakes, before proceeding inside. During the enhanced honor cordon, national anthems are played.

Parrikar, accompanied by Carter, also laid a wreath at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial.

Carter and Parrikar noted the recent official exchanges, including the visit to New Delhi of General John Nicholson for consultations on Afghanistan, as well as by the Secretary of the U.S. Navy and the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force.

They welcomed the progress achieved under the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) so far. In Delhi in July this year, India and the U.S. decided to broaden its agenda by setting up five joint working groups on naval systems, air systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, chemical and biological protection, and other systems.

The two leaders noted the signing of an information exchange annex under the framework of the Aircraft Carrier Joint Working Group.

Carter and Parrikar agreed to continue their close consultation on ‘Make in India’ proposals and praised the discussions at the inaugural Maritime Security Dialogue held in May.

They welcomed the conclusion of the bilateral ‘White Shipping’ technical arrangement for data sharing on commercial shipping traffic and also discussed cooperation on capabilities to augment India’s capacity for maritime domain awareness.

Welcoming the continued efforts by the militaries of the two countries to deepen bilateral cooperation and expand opportunities for greater collaboration, the two leaders commended the recent completion of the Malabar naval exercise with Japan and India’s participation in the Rim-of-the-Pacific exercise in Hawaii, as well as the Red Flag Air Force Exercise in Alaska.

They were encouraged by increased complexity in the ‘Yudh Abhyas’ Army exercise scheduled in September in India.

The two leaders agreed to facilitate greater and regular interactions to deepen mutual understanding between military services and promote practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, special operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.