U.S. KEEN ON FINALISING GEO-SPATIAL COOPERATION AT 2+2 DIALOGUE IN OCTOBER

U.S. KEEN ON FINALISING GEO-SPATIAL COOPERATION AT 2+2 DIALOGUE IN OCTOBER

Context

Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA) agreement to be signed by India in October.

Details

• U.S. keen for India to sign the last foundational agreement, Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA).
• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA) will be signed at a meeting of the Quad Foreign Ministers which is scheduled to take place in Tokyo in October.
• A maritime information agreement is also under active deliberation between India and the U.S
• In 2016, India has signed three foundational agreements: the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) whereas the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) was signed a long time ago.

About 2+2 Dialogue

• It is a dialogue where the defense and foreign ministers or secretaries of two countries meet.
• It is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries.

About Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA)

• It will allow India to use US geospatial maps to get pinpoint military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons such as cruise and ballistic missiles.
• It is one of the foundational military communication agreements between the two countries.