Our Correspondent / New Delhi
Major opposition parties in India have expressed grave concern over over the signing of the Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement between India and the United States.
The Congress party has termed the Agreement a fundamental departure from India’s time-tested policy of strategic military neutrality. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded that the contents of the agreement be placed in public domain or at least shared with the opposition parties.
CPI (M) in a statement said, by signing the agreement, India has acquired the formal status of a military ally of the United States.
However in a statement, the Defence Ministry has said the agreement does not create any obligation on either party to carry out any joint activity and does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements.
In a major defence cooperation, India and United States signed an agreement on Monday enabling their forces to use each other’s base The agreement will enable US and Indian forces to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
US Defence Secretary Ash Carter told media at the Pentagon last night that he and Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar formally signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, LEMOA.
The two leaders had agreed on the memorandum in principle when they last met in India in April. Mr Carter said the agreement is fully mutual and makes joint operations easier and more efficient. Addressing a joint press conference with Mr Carter, Mr Parrikar said that this is not an agreement to set up bases but to facilitate logistical support between the two militaries.
He said, in the agreement there is no provision for setting up a base in India. Mr Parrikar said, LEMOA facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies, and services between the US and Indian militaries on a reimbursable basis, and provides a framework to govern them. This may include food, water, transportation, petroleum, clothing, medical services, training services, and other logistical items and services, he said.