The U.S. and India’s government have signed an agreement on the use of each other’s land, air and naval bases for repair and resupply in support of efforts towards the development of further defense ties, Reuters reported Tuesday.Manohar Parrikar, India’s defense minister, said the agreement helps the naval forces of both countries support each other in joint operations and exercises as well as during humanitarian assistance missions.
“India and the U.S. have a shared interest in freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded commerce as part of rule-based order in [the] Indo-Pacific,” added Parrikar.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter visited India in April for a push to expand the U.S.-India defense collaboration and revisit current agreements with Parrikar.
