Indo-US strategic cooperation CENJOWS 02 Nov 2020
https://cenjows.in/article-detail?id=414
Indo-US strategic cooperation CENJOWS 02 Nov 2020
The two plus two meeting in New Delhi last week led to the signing of BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement), the last of the four agreements essential for obtaining latest technological equipment and data from the US, as also clearing the final stage of the Indo-US strategic partnership. GSOMIA (General Support of Military Information Agreement), LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) and COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) have already been signed. With BECA both countries can share military information including geomagnetic and gravity data, maps, nautical and aeronautical charts, commercial and other unclassified imagery.
This will enhance accuracy of Indian missiles and drones that rely on accurate inputs. It will also open doors for India to procure armed drones, Reapers or Predators, for long-range precision strikes against hostile targets on land and sea. There are reports in the press that the US can misdirect Indian missiles in case they are against US interests. These reports are baseless as India would have verified all such options prior to accepting US pre-conditions.
There are also reports that signing such an agreement prior to US elections, where there could be a change in guard, is rushing into the unknown. Despite any change of guard, national interests will remain supreme. China as a major threat to US military power would continue. The US would need India as much as India would desire US partnership, technology and investments. The current leadership had negotiated equally well with the Obama and Biden administration as it has done with Trump. Hence, there is unlikely to be any difference in the US outlook towards India.
The joint statement displayed support from Washington on current security issues facing India. While Indian officials avoided naming Beijing, the US secretaries openly accused China. Mike Pompeo stated that the Chinese Communist Party is ‘no friend to democracy, rule of law, transparency, nor to freedom of navigation.’ His colleague, Mark Esper spoke of ‘increased aggression and destabilizing activities by China.’ China has realised that growing Indo-US partnership is a threat to it and hence has always desired that India does not move strategically close to the US.
The current government, like its predecessors, have chosen closer cooperation with the US as a means of enhancing its capabilities. However, unlike the UPA regime which avoided signing strategic agreements, in deference to China and pressure from coalition partners, Modi is doing the reverse, and this could possibly be a major factor behind the current standoff. India needs to enhance its military capabilities, for which US technologies are the best bet, despite close monitoring by the US of its supplied equipment.
Within India there has always been a debate on whether India should join an alliance to enhance its security. The cards being played are nonalignment and strategic independence. At some stage, depending on the geostrategic environment, India may be compelled to re-evaluate its options of strategic independence, and consider specific scenario alliances. India hesitating to form strategic alliances is being exploited by China. A series of articles in The Global Times, mainly for pressurizing the government, have highlighted that India will not enter any alliance with the US, as it would be against the Indian principles of non-alignment and strategic independence. For China, a US-India strategic alliance can enlarge its threat perception.
There is no doubt that the visit, signing of BECA and comments made by US representatives have irked China. When questioned on the comments by Pompeo, Chinese spokesperson, Wang Wenbin, told a media briefing that Mike Pompeo’s attacks and accusations against China are nothing new. He added, ‘These are groundless accusations which reflect that he is clinging to the Cold War mentality and ideological biases. We urge him to abandon the Cold War and the zero-sum game mentality and stop sowing discord between China and regional countries as well as undermining the regional peace and stability.’
The current India-US strategic partnership is based on common goals and interests. There is no military alliance on the cards as each has their own national interests in mind, which in some cases differ. With growing Chinese assertiveness in the region both nations need one another to combat a common threat.
India never participated in US led operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, despite strong pressure. India’s involvement in Afghanistan has been limited to training, infrastructure development and provision of some armaments, as India supported the democratic government. India is currently engaged with both, the Afghan government and the Taliban. India will also not participate in operations against China in the South China Sea, under US command.
Neither would the US be involved in operations in Ladakh, which India has made abundantly clear. India’s willingness to discuss a trade deal with Taiwan also flows from its confidence of being able to counter Chinese military pressures in the north. However, in the Indo-Pacific both nations would act in unison, especially when it comes to keeping the Chinese at bay.
This was evident with the visit of Pompeo to Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Maldives, post the 2 plus 2 meeting. India, which had in 2013 blocked a Maldives-US defence treaty, welcomed it currently and even stated that it was in line with Indian interests. India needs the US to act to counter growing Chinese influence, which it alone would find difficult to handle.
Further, with nations seeking to decouple from current Chinese supply lines, joining hands would add to Indian benefit as India could become a new destination. With similarity in thought and outlook, US companies relocating to India would be encouraged.
The recently held QUAD meeting in Tokyo and the forthcoming Malabar exercises where all members would participate is a step in firming the consultative mechanism and enhancing abilities to operate jointly. Neither of these two are alliances currently. They could become alliances in case China continues with its assertiveness in the region.
India needs partners as it continues to face hostile neighbours. Partnerships are formed based on commonality in thought and approach. The Indo-US partnership is based on such an approach. The stronger the partners, the more is support on the global stage. India’s partners must flow from the West, as these nations have begun challenging Chinese assertiveness in the region. It is with this background that the Indian foreign secretary is currently visiting London, Paris and Berlin.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army