India, US agreed on Logistics Exchange Agreement

India and the US on 12 April 2016 agreed in principle to conclude a logistics exchange agreement to enable both militaries to use each other's assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
•    The agreement on Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was reached after delegation-level talks between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter in New Delhi.
•    The agreement, which was cleared during the meet and will be signed in coming months, does not entail deployment of American troops on Indian soil.
•    To set up a new bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue between officials of defence and foreign affairs ministries
•    To enhance on-going navy-to-navy discussions to cover submarine-related issues
•    Both countries will deepen cooperation in maritime domain awareness by finalising a ‘White Shipping’ agreement in the near future.
•    LEMOA traditionally known as the Logistics Support Agreement (LSA) facilitates the provision of logistical support, supplies and services between the US military and armed forces of partner countries on a reimbursable basis. It also provides a framework that governs the exchange of logistics support, supplies and services.
•    The logistic support agreement with India was earlier proposed in 2004 but it was resisted by the then UPA government for a decade. The then defence minister AK Anthony saw the agreement as intrusive and compromising on India’s non-aligned stance.