The question is why this meeting at this time, when Covid-19 is playing havoc in different parts of the world. In fact Secretary of State Mike Pompeo calls it an opportunity to connect with his partners to promote a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region composed of independent, strong, and prosperous nations.
Yes, both Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper were on a two-day visit to India to sign the crucial Indo-US Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), which pertains to geo-spatial intelligence, sharing information on maps and satellite images for defence purposes. In fact, after the Galwan Valley faceoff with China it is clear message to neighbouring Pakistan and China that United States is fully backing India in the Indo-Pacific region. The US administration has lately been blaming China for its irresponsible behaviour by spreading of ‘Chinese or Wuhan virus’ all over the world.
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After inking the pact, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that comprehensive discussions on a range of key issues were held. The signing of BECA with US is a significant move as it will lead to better military cooperation with the US. In fact, projects have been identified for joint development of defence equipment. “We reaffirmed our commitment to peace and security in Indo-Pacific region,” Singh said. It is one of few basic deals that the United States signs with close partners.
BECA enables sharing geospatial information, including nautical and aeronautical charts. The complete data, backed by highly accurate US satellites, helps in navigation as well as targeting military assets. With BECA signed, the two countries can exchange maps, nautical and aeronautical charts, commercial and other unclassified imagery, geodetic, geophysical, geo-magnetic and gravity data. Apart from the standard data, the agreement includes sharing of classified information as well, with safeguards in place to ensure that it is not shared with any third party. This move is very significant as the growing tension in Indo-Pacific region is catching the eye of the Americans.
Before this third 2+2 dialogue, Pompeo and Esper had also held talks with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, covering key aspects of growing strategic ties between the two countries discussing Issues of strategic importance. Both the top US administration officials also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval were also present during the meeting.
With voting to elect the new Administration in United States next week and the issue of China and its ‘arm-twisting, land grabbing and virus spreading’ is one of the major slogans, the present US Administration is using all arrows from its quiver to fire from all ends as the Joe Biden camp has attacked the Trump Administration for letting the US down.
In all likelihood, Prime Minister Modi is also trying to return the favour to his ‘friend’ Trump offered. The ‘Howdy Modi’ campaign was held in September last year in Houston, USA and ‘Howdy Trump’ was held in Ahmedabad in February this year. It is a quid pro quo to send a message to countries like Pakistan and China that India is emerging as a next super power in the Indo Pacific region, which also suits America’s interest at this point of time. Normally in diplomatic terms, so close to the elections, countries do refrain from taking major bilateral decisions. However, the business goes on with India and United States as it suits both the countries.
