India signs LEMOA with US to enhance operational capacity of IAF

New Delhi: A Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was signed between India and the United States in Washington DC.

Signed on Monday, LEMOA is an agreement that facilitates establishing basic terms, conditions, and procedures for reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services between the armed forces of India and the United States.

Reciprocal logistic support would be used exclusively during authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

What does the LEMOA agreement states:

• LEMOA will facilitate in enhancing the operational capacity of the Indian Armed Forces, including their response to humanitarian crises or disaster relief.
• Provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services from one Party to the other would be in return for either cash payment or the reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services.
• The Agreement does not create any obligations on either Party to carry out any joint activity.
• It does not provide for the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements.

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What does logistic support include:

• Logistic Support, Supplies, and Services include food, water, billeting, transportation, petroleum, oils, lubricants, clothing, communication services, medical services, storage services, training services, spare parts and components, repair and maintenance services, calibration services, and port services, according to PIB release.
• Logistics support for any other cooperative efforts shall only be provided on a case-by-case basis through prior mutual consent of the Parties, consistent with their respective laws, regulations and policies.

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