India,US sign landmark defence pact BECA

During the  2+2 ministerial dialogue on Tuesday in New Delhi, India and US signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) which allows India to use global geospatial maps of the United States for accuracy of stand-off weapons like cruise and ballistic missiles. From the Indian side, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar led the delegation. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defence Mark Esper led the US delegation. India and US signed five agreements in total.

In a joint statement after the signing, Singh described it as a “significant move” and said, “We reaffirmed our commitment to peace and security in Indo-Pacific region... Our military to military cooperation with the US moving forward very well and we have identified projects for joint development of defence equipment.” The Defence Minister said both sides also agreed that upholding rules-based international order respecting rule of law and freedom of navigation in the international sea and uploading territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states are essential.

In his statement, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said discussions covered developments in India's neighbouring countries and they made it clear that cross border terrorism is completely unacceptable. He added that the Indo Pacific region was the particular focus of the talks. He said they reiterated the importance of stability and peace and prosperity for all countries in this region.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said US will stand with India as country confronts threats to their sovereignty and liberty. Secretary Pompeo said he alongwith Secretary Esper visited National War Memorial to honour brave men and women of Indian armed forces, including 20 killed by PLA in Galwan Valley. He said US and India are taking steps to strengthen cooperation against all manner of threats and not just those posed by Chinese Communist Party. He added that India and US expanded cooperation on cyber issues, and navies have held joint exercises in Indian ocean. He added that US values India as a multi-lateral partner, whether it is through the quad, making Afghan peace negotiation successful or working together during India's upcoming term on UN security council. He also said US continues to support India's permanent membership of UNSC.

US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper said, based on shared values and common interests, India stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all, particularly in light of increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China. He said as the world confronts a global pandemic and growing security challenges, the India-US partnership is more important than ever to ensure security, stability and prosperity of the region and the world.