Context:
- US ambassador has proposed reciprocal military liaison officers at each other’s combatant commands at some point in defence relations between the two countries
- This suggestion comes two years after India and the US signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) which allows their militaries to work closely and use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies
Arrangements at present:
- At present, the US has arrangements to have military liaison officers with some of its NATO allies and close defence partners including Australia, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Philippines, New Zealand, Great Britain
- Posting liaison officers will mean formalising the robust partnerships between theatre commands, viz Pacific command of the US defence forces
Free Trade Agreement between India and USA:
- US envoy also proposed a Free Trade Agreement with India in the future
- There have been no negotiations between India and the US on FTA so far
- The economic partnership should be looked through the strategic lens — as the US looks for alternatives to China in the region
India and various groupings:
- India recently joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Wassenaar Arrangements
- The US expects India to join the Australia Group on chemical and biological weapons in near future
- The USA is working closely with India and our international partners to secure India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group
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