The United States is anticipating India’s signing of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA), ahead of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue slated for October 2020. This article highlights the importance of this agreement and how it stands to benefit both nations.
Understanding The 2+2 Talks
The 2+2 talks are a platform that allows for strategic and security discussions between two ministers from each participating country. These meetings primarily involve defense and foreign ministers or secretaries who converse with their counterparts from the other country. In addition to the USA, India holds such dialogues with Japan and Australia at the foreign secretary and defense secretary level.
The USA, besides India, conducts similar ministerial level discussions with Australia and Japan. Initiated back in June 2017, the 2+2 dialogue replaced the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue that was previously held between the foreign and commerce ministers of the two countries.
About BECA
BECA will enable India to leverage the USA’s geospatial maps to improve the accuracy of its automated hardware systems and weaponry, including cruise and ballistic missiles. The agreement is also a critical step towards India potentially acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles like the Predator-B from the USA. Apart from BECA, there are three other foundational military communication agreements between India and the USA: GSOMIA, LEMOA, CISMOA.
Details of Other Agreements
GSOMIA (General Security Of Military Information Agreement) was signed by India in 2002. It facilitates the sharing of intelligence gathered by the militaries of both countries. An extension to GSOMIA, the Industrial Security Annex (ISA), was signed in 2019 during the 2+2 dialogue. This provides a framework for exchanging and safeguarding classified military information between the USA and Indian defense industries.
LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) permits both countries access to each other’s designated military facilities for refueling and replenishment. It was signed by India in 2016.
COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement), a specific CISMOA version for India, aims to provide a legal structure for the transfer of highly sensitive communication security equipment from the USA to India. This is done to enhance interoperability between their armed forces. It was signed in 2018 and is valid for 10 years.
Maritime Developments Between India and the USA
A maritime information agreement is currently under discussion between India and the USA. Once finalized, India will have similar arrangements with all Quad countries – an informal strategic dialogue group comprising India, USA, Japan, and Australia. Their shared objective is to ensure and uphold a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Increasing military interactions have seen the USA appointing a liaison officer at the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). In return, India placed a liaison officer at the USA Navy Central Command in Bahrain.
The Way Forward
The signing of BECA is crucial for India to counterbalance the Russia-China-Pakistan axis in the maritime domain and ensure the stability of the Indo-Pacific region. Strategic hedging is key in maintaining relationships with powerful nations like the USA. It is important that India and the USA work towards completing any unfinished agreements and chart the course to establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership. Increasing maritime interactions and intelligence sharing with Quad countries will strengthen India’s international position, especially in light of the escalating Indo-China conflict.