India and the U.S on Tuesday inked a landmark defence agreement that will allow sharing of high-end military technology, classified satellite data, and critical information between the two countries.. The signing of the long-negotiated Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement — also known as BECA — during the third edition of the 2+2 dialogue between the two strategic partners boosts bilateral defence and military ties.. It comes in the backdrop of India”s tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh..Defence minsiter rajnath singh termed the BECA as an important agreement.
A joint statement issued towards the end of the talks said India and the U.S would cooperate on infrastructure development in the Indo-Pacific and parner with like-minded countries in the ASEAN and beyond for a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific..
The U.S reiterated its support for India’s quest for a permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council..
India reiterated the importance of peace, stability and prosperity for all countries in the indo pacific region
India and the U.S agreed to ramp up their security ties and boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, amidst China’s growing belligerence and expansionist designs.. India-U.S collaboration in defence production and counter-terrorism figured in the talks..
Besides the BECA, four other pacts were signed on the occasion..
Earlier in the day, Pompeo and Esper laid wreaths at the National War Memorial. They called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held talks with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. Pompeo will visit Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia on his Asia tour.