The many strategic decisions agreed upon during U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton Carter’s visit last week to India opens up not just new possibilities but also challenges, say specialists in the defence sector. Many of them also see a message for India’s neighbourhood, especially China, in the decisions.
During Mr. Carter’s meetings, both sides reached an “in-principle” understanding on concluding the first of the three foundational agreements, the Logistical Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (LEMOA), which has been in the works for over a decade.
The former Navy Chief, Admiral Arun Prakash, felt that it was a long-delayed step and a much-needed message India had to send to China. “India needs more support as it cannot stand against China on its own either militarily or economically. Some kind of message had to be sent. It doesn’t mean we are allying with the U.S.,” he said.
On a similar note, Dr. Richard M. Rossow, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said, “I would certainly not characterise progress in our security relationship as ‘too fast’.”
He said the U.S. was not asking India to take specific actions. “I believe the visit, and resultant agreements to deepen U.S.-India defence cooperation, are signposts of progress in actualising our shared security interests,” he said.
India’s neighbours, whose security interests are not aligned with India’s own interests, may be sitting a bit more uneasily today.
Dr. Rossow said a stronger India, acting in its own security interests, was a very good thing for American interests.
The LEMOA, a modified logistics support agreement, addressing Indian concerns entails the militaries of two nations to share facilities for refuelling, supplies and spares. The U.S. has similar arrangements with over 80 countries.Far-reaching consequences
Stephen P. Cohen, Senior Fellow at Brookings Institution, said the agreement would have far-reaching consequences. “I favour the arrangement, but there will be new risks as well as new prospects,” he said. “What if the U.S. asked for help in facilitating its military engagement in Afghanistan? What if India were to tangle on a border with China or Pakistan [as happened before]?”