Page 15 - NIS English December1-15

Indo-US 2+2 Dialogue Security

BECA FOR SHARING SENSITIVE INFORMATION

The signing of the
BECA during 2+2
meet between India
and the US completes
finalisation of the four

key pacts which are
crucial for expanding
strategic ties

ith the signing of Basic Exchange and WHAT IS 2+2 DIALOGUE, BECA?
WCooperation Agreement for Geospatial l Talks among US Secretaries of State and
Cooperation (BECA) during the recent 2+2 Defence with Indian External Affairs Minister
dialogue in New Delhi, India and the US and Defence Minister are called 2+2 dialogue
have entered into a landmark defence pact l BECA would allow India and the US mutual
enabling armed forces of both the countries access to geospatial data such as detailed
to share geospatial information. In the maps, nautical and aeronautical charts, as well
changing global order, the growing wallop of as imagery of the two countries
India makes such deals important. l This data will give India’s long-range missiles or
It was signed on October 27, 2020 during Drones, the ability to strike targets thousands of
the third edition of the 2+2 dialogue signalling kilometres away with a great accuracy
boosting of bilateral defence ties between
the two countries. It becomes all the more THE THREE OTHER PACTS
relevant in the changing global scenario post l General Security of Military Information
COVID-19 with a major shift in the world order. Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed in 2002.
BECA followed signing of Logistics Exchange GSOMIA paved the way for greater technology
Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in cooperation in the military sector
2016 and Communications Compatibility l Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
and Security Agreement COMCASA in 2018. (LEMOA) was signed in 2016. It gives mutual
GSOMIA, LEMOA, COMCASA and BECA access to the military facilities of the two countries
are the four foundational agreements that l Communications Compatibility and Security
Agreement (COMCASA) was signed in 2018 to
the US signs with close partners to facilitate facilitate access to advanced defense systems
interoperability between militaries and sale of enabling India to utilise its existing US-origin
high-end technology. platforms

DEFENCE AND SECURITY PARTNERSHIP

Defence and External Affairs Ministers of India and US Secretaries commended comprehensive,
resilient and multi-faceted Major Defence Partnership (MDP) between India and the US welcoming
enhanced maritime information sharing and maritime domain awareness. Both the countries will
build upon existing defence information-sharing at the joint-service and service-to-service levels.

New India Samachar 13