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India-US Strategic Partnership and its Stress Points

India and the United States are Major Defence Partners (since 2016) and have signed three foundational defence agreements: LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, 2016), COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, 2018), and BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement, 2020). These enable interoperability and intelligence sharing. However, divergences arise on third-country conflicts — India has traditionally maintained strategic autonomy and does not align with Western-led naval operations in the Gulf.

Key details
  • LEMOA allows mutual logistical support at each other's military facilities.
  • COMCASA enables secure interoperable communications between Indian and US forces.
  • BECA provides real-time geospatial intelligence sharing.
  • India imports ~88% of its crude oil, with West Asia (including Gulf states and Iran) being a critical source; India's sea lines of communication through the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea are of vital strategic interest.
In the news

Tracked since June 12, 2026 · last seen June 12, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

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