New Delhi: In a major move aimed at strengthening defence ties between India and the United States, decks have been cleared towards inking of a key logistical agreement with the US by India which will ensure logistical support to each other’s defence platforms such as ships and aircraft for refuelling and supplies including fuel and spare parts. This will also enable both militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair of platforms and replenishment of supplies.
In the presence of visiting United States Secretary of Defense Dr. Ashton Carter in the Capital, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that this will help in smooth conduct of humanitarian missions and will not mean provision of troops or stationing of US troops in India.
“As our engagement deepens, we need to develop practical mechanisms to facilitate such exchanges. In this context, Secretary Carter and I agreed in principle to conclude a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement in the coming months,” Mr. Parrikar said. He said the draft agreement will be exchanged by the two sides in a process that could take upto a couple of months.
