India, US agreed on Logistics Exchange Agreement

India and the US on 12 April 2016 agreed in principle to conclude a logistics exchange agreement to enable both militaries to use each other's assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

The agreement on Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was reached after delegation-level talks between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in New Delhi.

The agreement, which was cleared during the meet and will be signed in coming months, does not entail deployment of American troops on Indian soil.

Reached agreements include

• To set up a new bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue between officials of defence and foreign affairs ministries

• To enhance on-going navy-to-navy discussions to cover submarine-related issues

• Both countries will deepen cooperation in maritime domain awareness by finalising a ‘White Shipping’ agreement in the near future.

What is LEMOA?

LEMOA traditionally known as the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the US military and armed forces of partner countries on a reimbursable basis. It also provides a framework that governs the exchange of logistics support, supplies and services.

The logistic support agreement with India was earlier proposed in 2004 but it was resisted by the then UPA government for a decade. The then defence minister AK Anthony saw the agreement as intrusive and compromising on India’s non-aligned stance.

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