New Delhi, Oct 27,2020: Aimed at checkmating China, India and the US on Tuesday resolved to strengthen cooperation in Defence and several other areas and signed a crucial agreement for exchange of satellite data that will enable India to strike military targets with pinpoint accuracy.
The two countries in their third 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue here reaffirmed commitment to deepening bilateral defense consultation and collaboration and to exploring opportunities to expand cooperative capacity-building efforts with partners across the region.
They also affirmed commitment to pursuing increased cooperation between the Indian military and U.S. Central Command and Africa Command, including broader participation in exercises and conferences, so as to promote shared security interests.
The U.S. reaffirmed its continued strong support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC as well as for India’s early entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
The US side was led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar led the Indian side.
The two countries signed five agreements including the crucial Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) that will enable India access to precision data and topographical images from US satellites. Under the agreement the two countries can exchange maps, nautical and aeronautical charts, geo-physical and geo-magnetic data that will help India in striking military targets with pinpoint accuracy.
The other agreements signed by the two sides are : Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences , agreement in extending the duration of the MOU on cooperation or nuclear energy partnership, agreement for Exchange of Customs Data and Letter of Intent for cooperation in Ayurveda and cancer research.
The Ministers welcomed the recent convening of the Second Australia-India-Japan-United States Quadrilateral Ministerial Meeting in Tokyo on October 6, and appreciated the exchange of views on regional issues of mutual interest, as well as ongoing cooperation related to maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, regional connectivity, health security and counter terrorism.
They expressed support for further strengthening Quad cooperation through expanded activities, including initiating a dialogue among the development organizations of partner countries.
Building on a strong record of peacekeeping cooperation, the Ministers decided to expand joint capacity building efforts with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific and to participate in multilateral peacekeeping training exercises.
They also discussed their shared interest in promoting a sovereign, peaceful, united, democratic, inclusive, stable and secure Afghanistan, including support for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process. They applauded India’s development assistance, and efforts to build trade linkages and multi-modal connectivity infrastructure for Afghanistan to enhance its regional connectivity to sustain growth and development over the long term.
The Ministers applauded the cooperation in confronting challenges emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterated their resolve to strengthen cooperation in the development of vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, ventilators and other essential medical equipment.
Recognizing that bilateral engagement in the research and development and the mass production of vaccines and therapeutics plays to our respective strengths, the Ministers sought to jointly promote access to high quality, safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines and treatments on a global scale.
