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OpINION APRIL 22, 2022 | The Indian Eye 12

IndIa and unIted states’

MarItIMe CoLLaBoratIon

The US needs to come to terms with India’s strategic compulsions. It is the only country in the Quad that has

an unresolved and contested land border with China

ANuRAg BISEN Framework for the Indo-Pacific
(SFIP), which was approved in Feb-
he Indian Ocean, spread over ruary 2018 and declassified in January
an area of 68.56 million square 2021, provides an insight into the US’
Tkilometers, is central to India’s assumption of India’s role in the In-
maritime interests and concerns. In- do-Pacific. The document envisions
dia’s location gives it a vantage point that “A strong India, in cooperation
in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). with like-minded countries, would act
India’s size, trade links and its exclu- as a counterbalance to China”. The
sive economic zone (EEZ) link its US also wishes that “India remains
security environment directly with the preeminent in South Asia and takes
extended neighborhood. In a global- the leading role in maintaining Indian
ized world, these strategic economic Ocean security…”. Towards achiev-
factors impose an increasingly larger ing the abovementioned desired end
responsibility on India. Several ex- states, the US objective towards In-
tra-regional nations look up to India dia and South Asia is to “accelerate
as the first responder in a calamity, a India’s rise and capacity to serve as
net provider of security in the region, a net provider of security and Major
and seek collaborative partnerships Defense Partner…”.
with India in the maritime domain. Specifically relevant to the mari-
India and the US, the largest time domain, in the declassified SFIP,
democracies of the world, have a are the US actions to “build a stron-
strong convergence on bilateral, re- ger foundation for defence cooper-
gional and global issues, resulting in ation and interoperability; increase
relations that have now evolved into cooperation on shared regional se-
a strategic partnership of global sig- curity concerns and encourage In-
nificance. Defense is a major pillar of dia’s engagement beyond the Indian
the India–US strategic partnership. Ocean region; build regional support
The two countries conduct more bi- for US–India common principles in
lateral exercises with each other than the Indian Ocean, including unim-
with any other country. The IN and peded commerce, transparent infra-
the US Navy (USN) have conducted structure-debt practices, and peace-
‘MALABAR’ since 1992. The aggre- The first batch of the Indian Navy’s pilots and Sensor Operators graduated ful resolution of territorial disputes;
gate worth of India’s defence-related from uS Navy Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 after qualifying on the MH 60R helo, in partner with India on maritime do-
acquisitions from the US is more than San Diego. (ANI Photo/ ANI Pic Service) main awareness; expand the US–In-
US$15 billion. dia intelligence sharing and analytic
The two countries signed the exchanges for creating a more robust
“New Framework for India–US De- tion Agreement (GSOMIA) of 2002; craft for the EEZ surveillance. The intelligence partnership”.
fense Relations” in 2005, which was Logistics Exchange Memorandum IN has also been instrumental in the The US sees India as an import-
updated and extended for 10 years in of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016; development of the maritime infra- ant bulwark in its bid to impede China
2015. In June 2016, the US recognized Communications, Compatibility and structure of friendly nations and has in its tracks. It would not be incorrect
India as a “Major Defense Partner”, Security Agreement (COMCASA) contributed towards developing oper- to assume that India is the lynchpin of
enabling technology sharing with In- in 2018; and, the Basic Exchange and ational and technical skills of person- the US Indo-Pacific strategy, as a van-
dia to a level commensurate with that Cooperation Agreement (BECA) nel of friendly countries. Material as- guard to counter China’s activities in
of its closest allies and partners. In- in 2020, thereby paving the way for sistance in terms of providing spares, the IOR. The elevation of the status
dia has since been elevated to Tier I seamless flow of information, greater automatic identification system (AIS) of Quad, designation of US Pacific
of the Strategic Trade Authorization interoperability and enhanced coop- equipment, ship handling simulators, Command (PACOM) to INDOPA-
(STA) license, an exception that will eration between the armed forces. ammunition, communication equip- COM, and broadening the scope of
enable interaction in advanced and The IN has been actively work- ment, coastal surveillance radars, the Malabar naval exercise by includ-
sensitive technologies. ing towards capacity building and boats, etc., to navies/maritime forces ing Japan and Australia are some of
India has also signed four en- capability enhancement of navies of in the region has gone a long way in the obvious pointers to India’s indis-
abling/foundational agreements for friendly countries in IOR. India has strengthening India’s stature and bi- pensability for the success of US’ In-
military cooperation with the US–the been providing hardware and plat- lateral ties. do-Pacific strategy.
General Security of Military Informa- forms, which includes ships and air- The United States Strategic Continued at next page... >>

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