India, US sign logistics exchange agreement

The Dollar Business Bureau

India and the US have signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in Washington on Monday. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter have exchanged the agreement to facilitate practical engagement opportunities.

This agreement establishes some basic terms and conditions for the reciprocal provision of logistic support between the armed forces of both the countries, the Union Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The logistic support includes the supply of basic services such as food, water, clothing, billeting, fuel, and communication, transportation, medical, storage, training, maintenance, calibration and port services. The reciprocal logistic support would be used during the port visits, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief services.

According to the ministry, logistics support for cooperative efforts would be offered on a case-by-case basis after the consent from both the parties, as per their respective regulations and policies. The logistics support would be provided either for cash or reciprocal logistic services.

The LEMOA does not create any obligations on any of the country to carry out a joint activity. Also, it is not meant for the creation of any bases or similar arrangements in both the countries. The pact would increase the operational capacity of the armed forces. It includes the response to humanitarian crises as well as disaster relief.

The mutual agreement grants one another equal access and complete ease. Though it is not an agreement for bases of any kind, it makes the logistics of combined operations easier and efficient, Carter said.

Speaking about other agreements with the US, Parrikar said that the country is not in a hurry to sign two more foundational agreements which the US has been asking for the last few years.