Indo – US Relations

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 Post 2001
• Era of cooperation

1991-2001
• Transition
phase
• Nuclear Test.

1947- 1991
• Cold war Era
Pre 1947
• Dominated by
colonial
understanding
 India – USA Relations

During the Cold War era

During the post-Cold War era

Defence Relations

Economic Relations
 India-USA: History of Relations

India declined the American offer to accept a seat at the United Nations Security
Council

Rather pushed for the membership of the People’s Republic of China which it has
immediately recognized as a sovereign nation

In the year 1950, India abstained from a US-sponsored resolution calling for UN’s
military involvement in the Korean War. India even voted against UN forces
crossing the 38th Parallel and naming China as an aggressor.
 1955: Pakistan officially aligned with the United States via the South East Asian
Treaty Organization (SEATO) and Central Treaty Organization (CEATO) also known
as Baghdad Pact.

The rogue state of Pakistan became an important ally to the US in the containment
of the Soviet Union, giving rise to strategic complications with India.

1966: In response to India’s criticism of the US intervention in Vietnam, President

Lyndon B. Johnson restricted the supply of grain shipments to India under Public
Law 480 programme.
 1967: A predominantly Anti-American worldview led India to reject a founding
membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

1971: The USA had maintained a studious silence on Pakistan’s repressive policies
in East Pakistan. The then Secretary of State Henry Kissinger visited Delhi to make
India comply to not support liberation movements in East Pakistan.

The 1980s: Large amounts of military aid was pumped into Pakistan by the USA in
order to fight a proxy against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.

1990: India hesitatingly provided a brief logistical support for American military
operations in the Gulf War
Post-1991: The Soviet Union disintegrated into independent nations and
the United States emerged as the single largest hegemon.

It coincided with India opening doors to foreign private capital in its

historic Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization move.

Since then Trade between India and the US grew dramatically and is
flourishing today.
2005- India US Nuclear Deal
 Non Proliferation Treaty

In June 1968, the U.N. General The NPT entered into force in
Assembly endorsed the NPT March 1970.

Objectives

Prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology

Promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy

Nuclear disarmament.
 Non Proliferation Treaty

All the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council
are among its members

India, Pakistan & Israel have not signed the treaty.

North Korea acceded to the NPT in 1985, then withdrew in

2003
 A Nuclear-weapon state party will not transfer of nuclear weapons or
technology, directly or indirectly

A Non-nuclear weapon will not receive nuclear weapons or technology, directly or

indirectly

A Non-nuclear state party undertakes to accept safeguards agreement with IAEA,

so that IAEA can verify the fulfillment of its obligations

All parties have the right to develop research, production and use of nuclear
energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination.
All parties have rights to participate in exchange of equipment, materials and
scientific and technological information for the peaceful uses of nuclear
energy.
2005- India US Nuclear Deal
 2005- India US Nuclear Deal

The U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Agreement or Indo-US nuclear deal or the

123 Agreement was signed between US and India in 2005

The deal lifts a three-decade U.S. moratorium on nuclear trade with

India.

It provides U.S. assistance to India’s civilian nuclear energy program

and expands India-USA cooperation in energy and satellite technology.
 2005- India US Nuclear Deal

Under the agreement, India agreed to IAEA

separate its civilian and military nuclear HQ-Vienna

activities.
The IAEA is the world's center
for cooperation in the nuclear
It also agreed to open up the civilian field, promoting the safe,
part to inspection by the International secure and peaceful use of
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nuclear technology.

In return, the US offered to resume full

nuclear trade i.e selling of reactors,
Transfer of Technology, Uranium sale
with India.
 Why it was called 123
agreement ?

Section 123 of the United States Atomic

Energy Act of 1954, titled "Cooperation
With Other Nations", establishes an
agreement for cooperation as a
prerequisite for nuclear deals between
the US and any other nation.

Such an agreement is called a 123

Agreement.
 2005- India US Nuclear Deal

The deal went through several complex stages including:

amendment of U.S. domestic law (Atomic Energy Act of

1954)

civil-military nuclear Separation Plan in India

India-IAEA safeguards agreement

 U.S., India Sign 10-Year Defense Framework Agreement-2015

Defense Trade and Technology Initiative. The idea is for India and the
United States to work closely together to develop military capabilities both
can use.

The pact is expected to support stronger cooperation between the armed

forces of the two countries, including deeper maritime cooperation and
increased opportunities in technology and trade.

jointly develop protective gear for soldiers against biological and chemical
warfare
 Necessity behind nuclear deal :-

We have a huge energy deficit and if Indian economy is to grow and

develop, we need to bridge this gap.

Earlier the Nuclear reactors in India were limited, due to unavailability

of nuclear material. But now these reactors will increase

This hints to a nuclear growth which is positive for India while it will also
benefit the US, France and Australia primarily by buying the nuclear
material required to function.
 Coal is not a solution, nor is hydro or wind. They can only serve to augment.
And while solar is perpetual, technology is still not developed to tap it. Nuclear
power is not an option, its a requirement!

With the current oil scenario the nuclear material is going to get really costly

India electric output will grow. This will provide a stable energy source for
growing area for Industries. India's GDP and annual growth rate will go up
really nicely.
 Issues behind nuclear deal :-

After Fukushima accident :- negligence of Japan and Tepco [ Tokyo

Electric Power Company]

Germany accelerated plans to close its nuclear power reactors and

decided to phase the rest out by 2022

Italy held a national referendum, in which 94 percent voted against

the government's plan to build new nuclear power plants

France has announced that it is the intention of the govt to reduce

nuclear usage by one third
 Issues behind nuclear deal :-

Total of 33 nuclear power plants are to be setup in India. As compared to

Japan they are nearly 9 times more. Are we capable of securing them better
than Japan while the latter couldn't handle 4 reactors? [Bhopal gas tragedy]

The liability of an environmental accident won't be taken up by any

Insurance companies. The Indian government will have to spill out chunks of
money if the disaster comes out to be natural even if its man-made.

Nuclear waste ?
 India US Defence Exercises

Tiger Triumph – This is a major military exercise carried out with the US,
involving all 3 Indian Tri-Services i.e India Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air
Force.

Malabar Exercise- India USA Australia and Japan

•India and US have four foundational defence agreements:
• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence
(BECA).
• General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).
• Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).
• Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).

India had signed the General Security Of Military Information

Agreement (GSOMIA) in 2002.
Foundational Agreements Signed by the USA

There are three agreements that the US calls foundational agreements. They are-
1.Logistics Support Agreement (LSA)
2.Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement
(CISMOA)
3.Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA)

These are signed by the US with other countries with which it has close ties in the
military sphere. These agreements are signed to build the basic groundwork and
promote interoperability between militaries by developing common systems and
standards. They also serve as guides for the sale and transfer of high-end
technologies.
 LEMOA

• It is an important agreement that solidifies and strengthens the Military ties

between India and the USA.

• This is an agreement that is usually signed by the USA with its allies for greater
synergy between the Armed Forces of the USA and its allies.

• India and the USA signed the LEMOA agreement in August 2016.
What is LEMOA?

• LEMOA is an acronym for the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.

• It is a Military agreement between Armed Forces of India and the USA that
establishes basic terms, conditions, procedures for Logistic support, supplies, and
services.

• The agreement encompasses medical services, training, spare parts, fuel, food,
water, transportation, clothing, repair, maintenance, and communication services.
Benefits of LEMOA Agreement – India
1.It gives access to designated military facilities on either side for refueling and
replenishment.
2.A mechanism will be instituted for book-keeping and payments and officials, who
will act as nodal points of contact, will be designated on both sides.
3.The agreement will cover four areas:
1. Port calls
2. Joint exercises
3. Training
4. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster relief
5. Other areas include food, water, billeting, transportation, petroleum, oils,
lubricants, clothing, communication services, medical services, storage
services, training services, spare parts and components, repair and
maintenance services, and calibration services
4. It does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing
arrangements.

5. This is purely a logistical agreement. India can access the string of U.S.
facilities across the globe for logistical support and the U.S., which operates in
a big way in Asia-Pacific, will benefit from Indian facilities.

6. The Agreement does not create any obligations on either Party to carry out
any joint activity.

7. The Agreement is aimed to significantly enhance the operational capacity of

the Indian Armed Forces, including in their response to humanitarian crises or
disaster relief
Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA)
SEPTEMBER 2018
• COMCASA stands for Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement
and is one of the four foundational agreements that the U.S. signs with allies
and close partners to facilitate interoperability between militaries and sale of
high end technology.

• COMCASA is an India-specific version of the Communication and Information

on Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA). It comes into force
immediately, and is valid for a period 10 years.

• COMCASA allows India to procure transfer specialised equipment for

encrypted communications for US origin military platforms like the C-17, C-
130 and P-8Is.
This will also enable greater communications interoperability between the
militaries of India and the US. Data acquired through such systems cannot be
disclosed or transferred to any person or entity without India’s consent.
BECA AGREEMENT
The Governments of India
and the United States of
America signed the Basic
Exchange and Cooperation
Agreement (BECA) on
October 27, 2020. It is the
third of a series of
agreements between the
two nations that marks the
beginning of a deep military
cooperation.
What is the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement?

• The BECA agreement focuses on providing American geospatial intelligence to

India. Geospatial intelligence is the intelligence on human activity that is gathered
by closely examining satellite images and other allied information.

• In this case, through accurate maps and satellite images, India can enhance its
topographical and aeronautical data which will aid in its guarding its borders
more effectively.

• BECA will provide the Indian military with high quality GPS which will improve the
accuracy of its automated systems and other guided weapons like missiles and
armed drones. Defence benefits aside, the BECA will also give the required
geospatial intelligence that will be crucial for an effective response towards natural
disasters
• The signing of the LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA completes the trio of the
foundational pacts for extended defence cooperation between India and the
United States.
Impact of the BECA agreement
The following factors will become apparent with the signing of the BECA:

•Indo-Pacific strategies will be better coordinated between India and the United
States.

•The QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), an informal security dialogue between

the United States, India, Australia and Japan, will be further strengthened.

•In the wake of the strained India-China relations, India can keep a close watch on
Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean. It will also help in combating future
incursions by the Chinese on India’s land borders.
•The signing of all three foundational pacts signifies the growing trust between the
United States and India. The LEMOA means that both trust each other enough to
show their valuable assets. COMCASA shows trust in the encrypted systems
between the two, and BECA allows for classified information to be shared freely
between the two countries.

•Interoperability, intelligence-sharing and joint research in weapons production.

•The foundation of a Multi-Polar World order will take shape thanks to the
substantive and institutionalized cooperation that will help in managing India and
America's rising global security burden.
Concerns regarding the BECA agreement:-

Aversion towards an alliance system: Although BECA and other allied agreements are
a strategic benefit to India, the strategic thinking which dates from the non-alignment
days have dominated India’s foreign policy. This thinking asserts that alliances are
inherently bad and if not careful, such alliances can infringe on national sovereignty.

Future of Indo-Russo defence pact: India has always been Russia’s biggest customer
in defence equipment since the days of the Cold War. The United States has expressed
concerns about the proximity of India with Russia as it fears its technology would find
its way into Russian hands.

Divergence of Foregin Policy Interest: In the last few decades, there has been a major
policy shift between the two nations as far as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran is
concerned.
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