A U.S. team visited India recently to sort out difference regarding “Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement” (COMCASA).
The agreement would facilitate transfer of high-end U.S. technology to India, but there is feared that it would compromise on India’s defence secrecy.
What is the COMCASA?
COMCASA is meant to provide a legal framework for the transfer of communication security equipment from the U.S. to India.
This would facilitate “interoperability” between their forces and potentially with other militaries that use U.S. origin systems for secured data links.
Importantly, the U.S. has already made some tweaks from its conventional template for agreements in this regard, for accommodating Indian concerns.
Significance - COMCASA is said to be part of a set of 3 agreements that the U.S. considers vital for a functional military relationship.
Previously, India and U.S. signed the “Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)”, for mutual logistic assistance between their militaries.
Negotiations on the third agreement, “Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA)”, have not yet begun.
Why is the U.S. pushing for COMCASA?
U.S. officials state that India’s armed forces are currently dependent on less secure, commercially available communication systems for surveillance.
These platforms are, therefore a hindrance in real time data sharing with friendly militaries, and seamless interoperability during joint missions.
Hence, they argue, COMCASA will facilitate the Indian military to use of high-end secured communication equipment from the U.S.
Additionally, COMCASA is also said to be imperative if India is to get the armed version of the Sea Guardian drones from the US.
What are the stakes?
Benefits - U.S. granted India the status of “Major Defence Partner” during the Obama’s time, to facilitate transfer of high-end defence technology.
Signing of the 3 foundational agreements would underline that status, besides making the transfer of American defence technology possible to India.
Risks - New Delhi is believed to be concerned about intrusive access COMCASA would grant the U.S. to Indian military communication system.
The violation of Indian sovereignty due to visits by US inspectors to Indian bases to inspect the COMCASA-safeguarded equipment weighs heavy.
There is also a fear that a lot of Russian-origin and indigenous Indian military platforms may not be compatible with COMCASA.
Also, such comprehensive agreements is politically risky for the ruling BJP as even the previous LEMOA (signed in 2016), created a political storm.
