In what assumes greater significance in view of China’s growing expansionist behaviour in the Indo-Pacific region and other crucial strategic areas, India has signed a mutual logistics support agreement (MLSA) with Japan. The pact was signed by Japanese Ambassador Satoshi Suzuki and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday had a 30-minute conversation with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Both the leaders during the phone conversation welcomed the signing of the defence pact. Though Abe had announced last month that he would step down as prime minister of Japan, he will stay on until his party chooses a successor. He is expected to be in office till the end of September. With this in view, this is Abe’s last summit meeting with India.
As PM Modi wanted the defence agreement to be signed as soon as possible, Indian diplomats pushed hard to make it possible. Sources said that Indian diplomats worked hard to ensure that the internal political developments of Japan do not delay this agreement. However, another important defence deal is also to be done in future. But keeping Chinese aggressive gestures in view, both India and Japan sealed this pact at the first available opportunity. The conversation between PM Modi and Abe took place at about 11.10 am on Thursday.
As a result of the pact, the Navies of both will work together to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region amid China’s aggressive policies. “With regard to the significant enhancement of Japan-India relations in recent years, Prime Minister Abe stated that both Prime Ministers took actions towards realizing the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India was elevated to greater heights,” said a readout issued by the Japanese government following the conversation.
“In this context, both Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of India Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces (so-called ‘Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement’, or ACSA) on September 9.”
The timing of the pact is significant as it comes amid tensions with China along LAC and Beijing’s aggressive behaviour across the Indo-Pacific region.
According to sources, this agreement will facilitate the smooth provision of supplies and services between the SelfDefense Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces. It will also promote closer cooperation between the forces on the ground, thereby contributing further to global peace and security.
The ACSA (commonly referred to as Mutual Logistics Services Pact) would permit the Indian Navy access to a Japanese base in Djibouti.
Sources said that the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JSDF) will now be allowed to use India’s military installations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
“During the conversation Abe explained that he would resign from his position as Prime Minister. He also noted the memories from their mutual annual visits,” stated the readout. Modi responded by expressing his appreciation to all the efforts extended by Prime Minister Abe and by recalling the time they spent together, said the readout.
“The agreement establishes a framework such as the settlement procedures for the reciprocal provision of supplies and services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Indian armed forces,” said a statement from Japan’s foreign ministry.
The agreement is expected to facilitate “smooth and prompt provision of supplies and services” between the two sides, promote closer cooperation between the SelfDefense Forces of Japan and India’s armed forces, and enable them to actively contribute to international peace and security, the statement said.
The agreement is expected to facilitate “smooth and prompt provision of supplies and services” between the two sides, promote closer cooperation between the SelfDefense Forces of Japan and India’s armed forces, and enable them to actively contribute to international peace and security, the statement said.
The pacts are quite crucial in the backdrop of China’s expanding its footprints in the Indian Ocean Region (IOC) rapidly. China has also access to Karachi and Gwadar ports in Pakistan. Its first military base overseas has become operational in Djibouti in 2017, which has been a cause of concern for Indian security and diplomatic establishments. China is also trying to increase its oceanic presence. Beijing is trying to have a military base in Cambodia and other countries so as to consolidate its position in Indo-Pacific.