The recent conclusion of the 3rd India-USA 2+2 dialogue held in New Delhi has again placed India and the USA in the spotlight. This dialogue saw the USA reaffirming its support to India in defending its territorial sovereignty against the backdrop of the ongoing India-China standoff. Furthermore, the conversations also focused on the significant threats posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region and repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. The previous two rounds of these bilateral dialogues took place in 2018 and 2019.
Completion of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA)
In a significant development, India completed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) with the USA. This agreement will pave the way for the exchange of geospatial data and information between the two countries. Crucially, BECA will enhance the precision of India’s missile strikes by improving the accuracy of their targeting systems.
The geospatial maps and charts to be shared as part of this agreement will be obtained from multiple sources. These include satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reconnaissance aircraft, and aerostats.
Military Cooperation and Principal Agreements
India’s strategic cooperation with the USA has further deepened, with plans to increase military-to-military engagement. Both countries are set to leverage Liaison Officers at each other’s military establishments to enhance information sharing. In addition to BECA, three other foundational military communication agreements between the two countries have been highlighted: the General Security of Military Information Agreement, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, and the Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement.
A Joint Statement on shared Indo-US goals in the Asia-Pacific region was also released. They emphasized that the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should not prejudice any nation’s legitimate rights and interests as per international law.
Joint Capacity Building and Other Initiatives
India and the USA decided to expand joint capacity-building activities with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Several significant steps were undertaken in this direction, which include signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences.
There were more agreements such as an extension of the tenure of the MoU on the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership, as well as an agreement on the electronic exchange of customs data. Both countries also expressed intent to cooperate in the field of traditional Indian medicines.
2+2 Dialogue Significance
The 2+2 Ministerial dialogue marks the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries. It involves the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meeting their counterparts from another country. India holds such talks with Australia, Japan, and the USA.
Way Forward
The signing of BECA is seen as a milestone for India, indicating the USA’s acceptance for cooperation in the maritime domain awareness advanced field. With converging national security interests, both nations are stepping closer in a more multipolar world. The meetings and agreements not only advance individual interests but also ensure that the bilateral cooperation makes a positive contribution on the global stage.
