BECA Full Form

What is Full Form of BECA

BECA is the abbreviation for Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement. It is an agreement signed between India and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency of the United States (US) Defence Department. This was signed on 27 October 2020, It is one of the 4 treaties signed between the United States of America (USA) and India for defense Cooperation. This is also called ministerial dialogue or foundational agreement, BECA aims to address all bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest.BECA is an important agreement between two nations that aims for greater military cooperation, providing geospatial intelligence, GPS (Global Positioning System) technology, accurate satellite images, and maps that strengthen the defense of our country.

What is BECA?

BECA is one of the foundational agreements between India and the USA. It aims at providing Defence cooperation like sharing geospatial information, geomagnetic and gravity data, nautical and aeronautical charts, sensitive satellite data, and technology. BECA will provide the Indian Military with GPS to navigate their projects.

History And Context of Signing BECA

India always wished for military assistance from the USA, and India's treaty with the USSR(Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) was always a hindrance to this relationship. With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the USA (United States of America) promoted a friendly relationship with India. The Defence Policy Group was established in 1995 to formulate policy guidelines for the Services and technical units and cooperation. The United States wanted India to sign Foundational Agreements and India was not willing the same until 2018, The expansion motive of China and its military invasion was the immediate cause for signing the pact of cooperation. The first 2+2 ministerial meeting was held in September 2018 in New Delhi. The second of this meeting was held in Washington DC in 2019. Agreements such as LEMOA (The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement) And COMCASA(Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) were signed at these meetings. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark T Esper visited India and held meetings with External Affairs S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. On 27 October 2020, BECA was signed.

What Is Ministerial Dialogue?

The Ministerial Dialogue is a diplomatic summit between the Indian Defence Minister and the respective Foreign Minister. This came to existence from the agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump.

Which Are The Foundational Agreements Between India And The US?

The foundational agreements are treaties between the US and its defense Allies.

General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA):

• It was signed in 2002.

• It aims at military cooperation.

• It helps in sharing information between the US and India.

The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)

• It was signed in 2016

• It gives access to military access like port calls, training assistance, joint exercise, addressing Humanitarian issues, and Disaster relief.

Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).

• It was signed in 2018

• It allows India to access advanced defense systems.

• To use various communication platforms.

Basic Exchange And Cooperation Agreement (BECA)

These covered areas of security and military information, compatibility and security, and logistics exchange and communication BECA.

Important Features Of BECA

• It will give real-time access to data and topographic images from US military agencies.

• To exchange sensitive satellite data with India.

• Provide High-quality GPS to Indian defense.

• Real-time missile navigation facility to India.

• To access the geospatial intelligence of the US.

• To have a good Indo-US Alliance.

• To address the Asia-pacific concerns of the USA

• To put pressure on Chinese invasion by strengthening alliances.

What Is The Significance Of Signing BECA?

BECA is a significant strategic pact between India and the US.

• Strengthen Indo-Pacific Strategies

• Cybersecurity

• QUAD(quadrilateral Security Dialogue) between India, Australia and Japan.

• Long-term objectives between the two defense establishments

• Sharing of GPS and geospatial data.

• Boost India's Accuracy and weapons like cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones.

• Growing trust between the USA and India.

• The US and India have differing foreign policy interests, particularly in relation to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Concerns About BECA

Foreign Alliance:

The signing of Foundational Agreements make India closer to the US and the foreign relations with Russia, China, and other countries can have an impact.US have different views on foreign alliance with Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Equipment purchase from Russia:

India purchases 60-70% of its defense inventory from Russia. India is the world's largest purchaser of defense equipment. So, the US wants India to stop purchasing their Equipment, They want to hide their technology and information from Russia.

Decision Making:

This is believed to be causing problems in decision-making in India due to US interference.

Which Military Exercises Are Done By The Indo-US Alliance?

Vajra Prahar –Special Forces of India and USA conduct this training.

Yudh Abhyas –The military exercise started in the year 2002.

Tiger Triumph – Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force are involved in this exercise with the USA.

Conclusion

The Indo US Military alliance is strengthened by the signing of 4 foundational Agreements. This also paves the way for more strategic treaties between India and the US and the role of India in Formulating Asia- Pacific policy. India requires allies in order to counter China’s invasive foreign policy. The signing of the BECA would enable India and the United States to work together to influence the regional and global environment in favor of peace and stability.