Congress' Anand Sharma slams India-US Logistic Agreement MoU

Sharma said, "On the 12th April, Def Min & US Def Secy met & reached an in principle understanding to sign Logistic Exchange MoU. This is to provide logistic support to each others military from the respective bases of India & US."

"While US is India's strategic partner, we have strong reservations about this development," he said, while adding, "The LSA (Logistical Support Agreement) was earlier proposed in 2004. For over a decade our nations have been in talks. But, India resisted. We did not agree because we see this as intrusive & it will be construed or misconstrued by India's other strategic partners as India being drawn into a military alliance."

The former Minister said that the three agreements to be signed under the MoU can jeopardize India's operational preparedness.

"The LEMO is one of three foundational agreements. Others are CISMOA & BECA," he said.

"We have strong concerns on these agreements. CISMOA would take into its embrace complete communication network of our Armed Forces. This can jeopardise our operational preparedness & strategies," Sharma added.

Taking a jibe at the BJP, he said, "The Govt said that they want this on a case to case basis. But, an informal agreement already exists on a case to case basis."

"The question arises why there is a need of a formal agreement. The PM & BJP don't have a national mandate to push India into a situation where we are seen in a closer, deeper military alliance & become part of the larger operational design of the US in Asia."

The ex-minister also warned the government of future consequences, as he stated that the agreement might undermine the geo-strategic balance in South-Asia.

"This would be detrimental to India's strategic & security interests & undermine the geo-strategic balance in South Asia," Sharma said.

"This will also require, despite Govt's denial, support personnel in our bases. This will take us further towards a military alliance," he added.

Cautioning the incumbent government against joining a military alliance, Sharma said that India is likely to face a cold shoulder from China and Russia.

"We have concerns that it will invite opposition from India's strategic partners, Russia & even China."

He said, "India has, from days of Pt. Nehru, refused to join any military alliance. We have strategic partnership with various countries. We have a philosophy that our strategic relationship with any country, cannot be at the expense of our other partners."

Urging the government to not sign the deal, Sharma said, "We have asked the Govt to not sign this agreement & that India's past position of not being drawn into military blocs is respected. We signed agreements with US in the last decade. We aren't opposed to defence co-operation, but being drawn into a military bloc."