Along with Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), and Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), BECA is one of the foundational military communication agreements between the US and India.
Features of Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
- BECA will allow India to use US geospatial maps to get pinpoint military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons such as cruise and ballistic missiles.
- It will enhance the operational efficiency of the U.S. platforms currently being operated by India. Getting accurate locations will allow Indian weapons systems and military platforms to accurately hit their targets.
- BECA was an important precursor to India acquiring armed unmanned aerial vehicles such as the Predator-B from the US.
- BECA was the pending third foundational military pact with the United States. A country needs to sign these three pacts to obtain cutting-edge weapons and communications systems from the United States.
- When the US had shared the draft agreement of BECA with India, India had certain reservations in view of its national security.
- The COMCASA allows the US to transfer communication equipment to India which facilitates secure transmission of data and real-time information between the armed forces of the two countries.
- The LEMOA, on the other hand, allows Indian and US defence forces to use each other’s facilities and establish procedures of easier access to supplies and services required by them.
- India and the United States have come close in recent years, seeking ways to counter-balance China’s spreading influence across Asia, especially in Pakistan, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.
- The US has emerged as India’s second largest arms supplier, closing deals worth $15 billion in the last 10 years.
Source: The Hindu
