Logistics pact with U.S.

• India is all set to notify the operationalising of the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the U.S.
• The notification includes designating the points of contact for the U.S. military to work with and setting up a common account for payments. The U.S., which has similar agreements with several countries, has already notified the details.
• After the notification, the U.S. is expected to formally ratify the agreement which will then operationalise the pact.
• India and the U.S. concluded the logistics agreement, the first of the three foundational agreements between the two nations, last August. However, its implementation has been delayed, as India was unable to streamline administrative procedures to enable its operationalisation.

About this agreement:

• LEMOA is a facilitating agreement that establishes basic terms, conditions, and procedures for reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services between the armed forces of India and the United States.
• Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services include food, water, billeting, transportation, petroleum, oils, lubricants, clothing, communication services, medical services, storage services, training services, spare parts and components, repair and maintenance services, calibration services, and port services.
• Reciprocal logistic support would be used exclusively during authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
• Logistics support for any other cooperative efforts shall only be provided on a case-by-case basis through prior mutual consent of the Parties, consistent with their respective laws, regulations and policies.
• Provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services from one Party to the other would be in return for either cash payment or the reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services.
• The Agreement does not create any obligations on either Party to carry out any joint activity. It does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements.
• The Agreement will significantly enhance the operational capacity of the Indian Armed Forces, including in their response to humanitarian crises or disaster relief.

Analysis:

• LEMOA will strengthens India’s outreach to areas that were not typically within its reach. With one aircraft carrier in operations, India’s capacity to undertake far sea operations has been fairly limited. Signing LEMOA opens up opportunities such as gaining access to US military bases in Djibouti and Diego Garcia — these are, by no means, insignificant.
• Indian arrangements with the US for such access open up new options in beefing up India’s logistics capacity for missions in the Indian Ocean. Though India can access such facilities and logistics even now, again, this has to be done on a case-by-case basis, which LEMOA does away with.
• US has increasingly turned its focus to Asia as it tries to counter China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, and is eager for India to play a greater role in its network of regional defence alliances.
• By agreeing to sign the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), India has sent out a clear signal that it has no inhibitions about being bound in strategic engagements with the U.S.
• This would qualitatively transform India’s relations with the U.S.
• But this is criticized on the ground of too intrusive and could also be perceived as a signal that India is dropping its policy of non-alignment.
• This agreement may have the repercussions on strategic alliance with other countries like Russia and China.

By: Vishal