India Not Going to Sign Defense Cooperation Deal with U.S.-Pentagon

The Pentagon has said that India won’t sign any defense cooperation deal with the United States anytime soon.

"India is not going to sign a mutual defense treaty with us any time soon, but they are a major defense partner of the United States and they are trying to become more interoperable with the U.S. military in their military capabilities, their command and control, their information sharing,” a senior defense official said.

In October last year, the U.S. inked BECA satellite data sharing pact with India. Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) is aimed at countering China’s growing power in the region. It will give India the ability to keep a close watch on the movements of Chinese army and warships in the Indian Ocean.

In a statement today, the Pentagon said, “China's behavior in the region — from fighting with India at the line of control, to increasing efforts and patrols in the Indian Ocean region — is worrisome to India.”