India and the US have signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), which establishes basic terms, conditions, and procedures for reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies, and services between the armed forces of India and the United States.

• The agreement was signed ‘in-principle’ in April this year.
• The deal aims to enhance the operational capacity of the Indian armed forces, including their response to humanitarian crises or disaster relief.
• As per the agreement, now American aircraft and warships will be able to access Indian military bases and vice versa for refuelling, repair and other logistical purposes.
• The pact aims to promote trade opportunities and innovative technologies to the US and Indian militaries.
• The pact is seen as a major step for both the countries to counter the growing maritime assertiveness of China.
• The UPA regime, earlier, had opposed signing of LEMOA and two other agreements. Then defence minister A K Antony, was not in favour of signing three foundational pacts with the US: Logistics Support Agreement (LSA or LEMOA), Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA) and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA).
• The UPA, Left and others were concerned that the LEMOA pact would lead to the establishment of American bases in India. However, allaying these fears, a statement by the Indian government says, “The agreement does not create any obligations on either party to carry out any joint activity. It does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements.”
• Parrikar is currently in the US for a sixth meeting with Carter in a year.
• The pact aims to provide logistic support, supplies, and services from one party to the other in return for either cash payment or the reciprocal provision of logistic support, supplies, and services.