India, US militaries can soon use each other's land, air and naval bases
The countries agreed in principle to share defense logistics, but they have yet to sign the Logistics Support Agreement.
India and the United States on Tuesday agreed in principle to share defense logistics that will allow both countries' militaries to use each other's land, air and naval bases for resupplies, repair and rest, reported Reuters. However, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said the draft of the Logistics Support Agreement is not yet ready for signing. Carter is on a trip to India to boost military co-operation between the two countries. He met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday.
The US has been asking India to sign the agreement for a while, but Delhi has been sceptical about the impact on its traditional autonomy. However, China's growing aggression in the South China Sea and Indian Ocean might have given the final push to the Narendra Modi government to move closer to Washington. Carter said the two countries will soon sign another deal to facilitate exchange of commercial shipping information.