US-India Major Defense Partnership and Foundational Agreements

India was designated a "Major Defense Partner" of the United States in June 2016 — a unique status created specifically for India that enables defence technology transfers at a level comparable to US treaty allies, without India formally becoming one. This designation underpins a series of bilateral defence frameworks and agreements.

Three "Foundational Agreements" form the legal architecture of US-India defence cooperation: 1. LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) — signed August 2016. Allows each country's military to use the other's bases for replenishment, refuelling, and repairs on a cost-reimbursement basis. 2. COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) — signed September 2018. Enables sharing of encrypted communications equipment and intelligence, replacing an interim GSOMIA arrangement. 3. BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Intelligence) — signed October 2020. Provides real-time sharing of geospatial intelligence, topographical data, and navigational charts — critical for precision weapons like missiles.

Together, these agreements have enabled major defence acquisitions: India has purchased P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, CH-47F Chinook helicopters, Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft, and MH-60R Seahawk naval helicopters from the US. The iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology), launched in January 2023, further extends cooperation into semiconductors, AI, space, and advanced defence manufacturing.