BECA to be inked soon between India & US? It is topping Sitharaman’s agenda in US next week

[SuvarnaTeja]

BECA to be inked soon between India & US? It is topping Sitharaman’s agenda in US next week

By: Huma Siddiqui | Updated: November 29, 2018 4:41 PM
Besides reviewing bilateral defence cooperation, regional issues related to Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the Indo-Pacific, the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) will be topping the agenda of Defence minister Nirmala Sithraman’s visit to the US next week.

During her three day visit starting Dec 3, sources confirmed to FE that, “The BECA is topping the agenda as this is will allow exchange of geospatial information between India and the US for both military and civilian use.”
Besides reviewing bilateral defence cooperation, regional issues related to Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the Indo-Pacific, the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) will be topping the agenda of Defence minister Nirmala Sithraman’s visit to the US next week.

During her three day visit starting Dec 3, sources confirmed to FE that, “The BECA is topping the agenda as this is will allow exchange of geospatial information between India and the US for both military and civilian use.”

The two countries have been in discussions towards the early conclusion of the BECA which has been pending for a while. “New Delhi has been during discussions insisted on India-specific assurances,” explained a senior officer on condition of anonymity. Such an agreement between the two countries wills layout protocols for the sharing of mapping and other geospatial data securely between the two sides.

The defence minister during her meeting with her counterpart US Secretary of Defence James Mattis is expected to seek waiver on CAATSA for the recent deals including two Grigorovich-class ‘Project 1135.6’ frigates for the Indian Navy and the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system from Russia.

Reportedly, Mattis has been pushing for a waiver for countries like India, after the US President Donald Trump had signed a law last year which said that any country trading with Russia’s military sector would face sanctions.

Besides reviewing Afghanistan, Pakistan and China situations the two sides will also discuss an entire gamut of issues of interests to both sides. Sources confirmed that the two sides during the meeting will discuss the Indo-Pacific Region.

In September this year, at the end of the first 2+2 India-US Strategic Dialogue, the two countries had concluded a third so-called foundational agreement to facilitate closer defense cooperation when they inked a Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).

According to the joint statement released at the end of talks between Minister of External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Defense Nirmala Sitharaman and both US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis , the COMCASA agreement will facilitate access to advanced defense systems and enable India to optimally utilize its existing US-origin platforms. COMCASA will open up the possibility of India importing US systems unencumbered by possible limitations on guidance, communication, and sensor technologies.

Both countries have already inked the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016 and the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002. The LEMOA agreement allows the use of each other’s land, air and naval bases for repair and resupply, a step toward building defense relations.

COMCASA will open up the possibility of India importing US systems unencumbered by possible limitations on guidance, communication, and sensor technologies.


https://www.financialexpress.com/de...amans-agenda-in-us-next-week-inbox-x/1398097/

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

RIP Indian Independence, Sovereignty and Freedom.

Why Congress silence on India-US secret military pact is surprising
KUMAR ANSHUMAN 19 September, 2018

File image of former Defence Minister and senior Congress leader A K Antony | PTI
Text Size:
It’s been two weeks since COMCASA was signed, and the only response from Congress is no comments.

New Delhi: It has been two weeks since India and the United States signed a historic defence pact — the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA). But the main opposition party, the Congress, has so far has avoided making any statement on the pact, which had been opposed by the UPA government throughout its 10 years in power.

“I don’t want to comment on it,” is the standard reply given by former defence minister and senior Congress leader A.K. Antony.

Also read: COMCASA is advantage India, but can we use it to regain strategic space in Indo-Pacific?

Congress sources told ThePrint that the party will draft a detailed response presenting its point of view in the next few days.

Three-step process
There are three set of agreements any country needs to sign to become a strategic defence ally of the US. The first is the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), which allows access to each other’s military ports and bases, and can be used for refuelling and carrying out military exercises between the two countries.

Under Narendra Modi’s NDA, India had signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) — a modified version of the LSA — with the US in August 2016.

COMCASA is the second step, which further strengthens Indian and the US defence ties. Through this, India can get critical and advanced defence technology from the US, and also access communication networks to ensure interoperability between the Indian and US armed forces.

The third agreement is the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA), which India is yet to sign.

BECA is all about sharing geo-spatial intelligence information on maps and satellite imaging for defence purposes.

‘Military autonomy in danger’
When the Modi government signed LEMOA in August 2016, the Congress and other opposition parties opposed it vehemently.

At that time, Antony had come out strongly and said the government had put the country’s military autonomy in danger by signing the agreement.

Also read: For the first time, India & US agree to hold wargame with army, navy and airforce

“When UPA was in power, India had all along resisted such proposals. India had traditional relationship with the Soviet Union, now Russia, from the very beginning. Of late, we are steadily improving our relations with the US also. But we were never part of a military bloc,” he had said.

“By inking such an agreement, India will allow the US Military, mainly the Navy and Air Force, to use its facilities for their smooth operations. They can refuel their warheads, their ships and aircraft etc, and if necessary, keep their military equipment on Indian soil.”

Apart from the Congress, the Left parties and regional parties such as the JD(U) — which was not in the NDA fold at the time — had also criticised the signing of the agreement.

So, when the NDA government has moved forward and taken the second step towards becoming an ally of the US, it’s surprising that the Congress is choosing to keep quiet on the issue.

https://theprint.in/politics/why-co...us-secret-military-pact-is-surprising/121099/

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

Will India now fight America’s war?

BHASHA SINGHPublished: Jul 13th 2018, 10.00 AM
758
Engagements

Photo courtesy: Getty Images

Former Defence Minister AK Antony (file photo)

In a rare and candid interview, former Defence Minister AK Antony voices his apprehensions about India getting too close to the US for comfort and other issues pertaining to defence
Earlier this year the United States in a ‘symbolic move’ renamed its Pacific Command to Indo-Pacific Command in recognition of closer military relations between the two countries. Joint Indo-US military exercises have increased in frequency and agreements have been signed to enable the Indian Navy to use American military facilities in the Persian Gulf. While the two countries are ostensibly trying to counter China’s growing influence in the Indian Ocean and in the region, India is inexorably getting drawn into an arms race and act as a buffer between the US and China. The United States has also emerged as India’s major weapons supplier and clearly wants India to spend more on warships, fighter jets and weaponry from the US.

The former Indian Minister of Defence AK Antony, reticent at the best of times, now voices his concern at India’s pronounced tilt towards the US. This, he says, has compromised India’s strategic balance. Is the Modi Government turning India into a lapdog of the United States? Excerpts from his interview with Bhasha Singh:



Is India under pressure from the US, as indicated by the tone and tenor of US officials?

The United States wants us to be solely dependent on it for supply of defence equipment. They want to eliminate Russia from the Indian scene. So, they are putting pressure on India. They don’t want that we should procure equipment from Russia — aircraft, helicopters and other products — and are therefore threatening sanctions against countries which procure equipment from Russia. The US has imposed sanctions on Russia. This pressure will increase in future. It is clear that the US wants to have a monopoly over the Indian defence market. They are quite open about it.

But is there any new deal with the US in the pipeline?

Yes. The US wants a stranglehold on India. That is why they are insisting on a slew of agreements. We (UPA) resisted pressure on signing the logistical support agreement. They have been trying to get us to sign it for the past 10 years. The Modi government simply changed the name and signed it. It’s now called Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).

Basically, Logistics Support Agreement (LSA), Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) are referred to as the agreements that the US signs with countries with which it has close military ties.

LEMOA gives access, to both countries, to designated military facilities on either side for the purpose of refuelling and replenishment. The agreement covers four areas — port calls, joint exercises, training and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

I believe India under Modi has already gone too far in its tilt towards the US.

Is that all or is more in the offing?

Now, the US wants us to sign two more agreements - Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) and BECA. Under COMCASA, US will be able to transfer high-tech avionics, encrypted communication and electronic system to India. The US can then track and snoop on Indian warships and aircraft equipped with this system. Under BECA, US digital sensors will be positioned on Indian soil. This means they will have complete control. India has its own systems in place. So, the intentions are pretty clear.



How has the Modi government handled this pressure?

The US wants India to become an unofficial NATO partner which is not in the interest of either India or the region. Unnecessary tensions will mount and we will fall into the trap of an arms race. They want India to completely break defence ties with Russia. This is also not good as we have to maintain a balance. We should not forget that the former Soviet Union and present Russia have been our defence partner from the beginning and helped us in times of crises. Because of the antics of the present government, for the first time in history, Russia has started supplying weapons to Pakistan.

But isn’t Prime Minister Modi been visiting Russia as well for informal, ‘meetings without agenda’ with President Putin?

Whatever PM Modi may or may not do, I have serious doubts about Russia having any illusion on the nature of Modi’s relations with the US. Russia is not happy. Moscow can see India’s tilt towards the US. It’s hardly a secret. India has gradually come into the orbit of the US. That means we are abandoning our strategic independence. The Indian National Congress was careful about maintaining our strategic independence. We were friendly with every country; our defence cooperation was with more than 50 countries. Today, that strategy is at stake.

How are the armed forces reacting to this situation?

The Modi government’s focus is not on the welfare of armed forces. So, armed forces are suffering as well. In UPA, we tried our best to focus on modernisation along with increasing welfare schemes. These people are ignoring it. Housing, medical facilities are being ignored. Capital allocation is not increasing. Capital budget is needed for new weapons and platforms. During UPA, capital expenditure was higher than what has been allocated by this government



But there are so many defence deals one keeps reading about…

There are very few new deals in fact. Most of the deals one reads about were initiated by the UPA. Negotiations started then; we were forced to go slow due to several reasons.

How do you judge the success of the ‘Make in India’ plan in the defence sector?

It has been a total failure. It is only on paper; nothing has moved on ground. Whatever deals were finalised during our time have also been pushed back. The Rafale deal was to go to the state-owned HAL. This government has dropped the plan without citing any reason whatsoever. No big investment has come so far. Like the economy, defence too is in a bad shape. For the first time serving officers came out openly in criticism of the Government before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence.

Ordnance factories are complaining that they are in a crisis. Apparently, their production targets have been reduced…

The Modi government is importing more equipment and ammunition. So, they don’t want these factories to achieve high targets. It is working in direct contradiction of their slogan of ‘Make in India’. It is not just the case with ordnance factories. No expansion plan is there for HAL and other PSUs. Ordnance factories are an important part of our defence structure. Their modernisation should be an area of prime focus and consultations should take place before any policy change.

https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/interview/will-india-now-fight-americas-war

 

[Mustang06]

Will India sign the deal for MH60R as well?

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

Will India sign the deal for MH60R as well?

yes

 

[Mustang06]

yes

Noice

 

[Tshering22]

P Indian Independence, Sovereignty and Freedom.

After COMCASA, we signed S-400 in the face of a sanctions threat.

You decide now what is freedom and autonomy.

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

After COMCASA, we signed S-400 in the face of a sanctions threat.

You decide now what is freedom and autonomy.

LSA, CISMOA, BECA, EULA are agreements of slavery while S-400 is outright procurement deal.

These two cannot be compared.

There was no pressure from Russia to sign the S-400 deal while there was pressure from the US to sign the "foundational" agreements.

 

[Tshering22]

LSA, CISMOA, BECA, EULA are agreements of slavery while S-400 is outright procurement deal.

These two cannot be compared.

There was no pressure from Russia to sign the S-400 deal while there was pressure from the US to sign the "foundational" agreements.

India has been too dependent on a few sources who have been arm twisting Indians for decades.

While I admire our relationship with Russia, France and Israel, any procurement from USA means these deals have to come in.

Not just for us, for anyone buying from USA.

Our other option is not to buy from them.

As long as we see some benefit in aligning with US on certain aspects, we will proceed. If we get too constrained, we can always review the situation.

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

India has been too dependent on a few sources who have been arm twisting Indians for decades.

While I admire our relationship with Russia, France and Israel, any procurement from USA means these deals have to come in.

Not just for us, for anyone buying from USA.

Our other option is not to buy from them.

As long as we see some benefit in aligning with US on certain aspects, we will proceed. If we get too constrained, we can always review the situation.

Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door I had to find the passage back to the place I was before Relax, said the night man We are programmed to receive You can check out any time you like But you can never leave!

 

[Shankranthi]

Last thing I remember, I was Running for the door I had to find the passage back to the place I was before Relax, said the night man We are programmed to receive You can check out any time you like But you can never leave!

Only a muslim will be scared of 'evil USA'.

Hindus of India has faced worse odds and have emerged successful all throughout history.

So isn't it time for you to come out of that closet ?

India has been too dependent on a few sources who have been arm twisting Indians for decades.

While I admire our relationship with Russia, France and Israel, any procurement from USA means these deals have to come in.

Not just for us, for anyone buying from USA.

Our other option is not to buy from them.

As long as we see some benefit in aligning with US on certain aspects, we will proceed. If we get too constrained, we can always review the situation.

Russia has just delayed delivery of equipments to INS Virat (under pressure from china , no doubt) and thereby deliberately delayed its induction. So its pretty safe to say that its unwise to bet on the Ruskies anymore.

The only real option is to build stuff our selves, but till that happens, US is the next best thing under certain conditions.

 

[Skull and Bones]

Only a muslim will be scared of 'evil USA'.

Hindus of India has faced worse odds and have emerged successful all throughout history.

So isn't it time for you to come out of that closet ?

He is not Indian, has been proven multiple times in this forum.

 

[Shankranthi]

He is not Indian, has been proven multiple times in this forum.

That is what I meant by coming out of the closet

Him and manlion and nilu phule.

 

[SuvarnaTeja]

He is not Indian, has been proven multiple times in this forum.

I am a Indo Aryan South Indian Dravidian.

That is what I meant by coming out of the closet

Him and manlion and nilu phule.

I cannot speak for others. I can only speak for myself.

INS Virat

Russia has just delayed delivery of equipments to INS Virat (under pressure from china , no doubt) and thereby deliberately delayed its induction. So its pretty safe to say that its unwise to bet on the Ruskies anymore.

The only real option is to build stuff our selves, but till that happens, US is the next best thing under certain conditions.

Did you mean INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov)?

Only a muslim will be scared of 'evil USA'.

Hindus of India has faced worse odds and have emerged successful all throughout history.

So isn't it time for you to come out of that closet ?

The only real option is to build stuff our selves, but till that happens, US is the next best thing under certain conditions.

I do not consider US as evil. In fact I love and admire US.

 

[Shankranthi]

Did you mean INS Vikramaditya (Admiral Gorshkov)?

Why would INS Viraat mean INS VIkramaditya ? .... are you stupid ?