USA Aircraft Refuelling at A&N Islands:
Recently, a USA Navy P-8A long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) landed at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands for refuelling under the bilateral logistics support agreement.
This is the first time the USA got access to A&N under the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).
Key Points LEMOA:
- It allows both countries to have access to each other’s designated military facilities for refueling and replenishment.
- Signed by India in 2016.
- Other foundational military communication agreements with the USA:
- General Security of Military Information Agreement:
- GSOMIA allows militaries to share the intelligence gathered by them.
- Signed by India in 2002.
- An extension to the GSOMIA, the Industrial Security Annex (ISA), was signed at the 2+2 dialogue in 2019.
- ISA provides a framework for exchange and protection of classified military information between the USA and Indian defence industries.
- Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement:
- Valid for 10 years, COMCASA aims to provide a legal framework for the transfer of highly sensitive communication security equipment from the USA to India that will streamline and facilitate interoperability between their armed forces.
- Signed by India in 2018.
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