We stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of free and open Indo-Pacific for all amid Chinese aggression: Esper

Esper said: "We stand shoulder-to-shoulder in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, all particularly in the light of increasing aggression and destabilising activities by China.''   

India and the United States on Tuesday signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA), a crucial Defence agreement on sharing sensitive satellite data amid New Delhi's ongoing standoff with Beijing in Eastern Ladakh.

The agreement was signed during the third 2+2 Ministerial Meeting between the two countries.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper led the US side while the Indian side was led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.

The BECA, the fourth defence agreement between the two countries during the past nearly two decades, will allow India access to precision data and topographical images from US satellites.

Under the agreement the two countries can exchange maps, nautical and aeronautical charts, geo-physical and geo-magnetic data that will help India in striking military targets with pinpoint accuracy.

The agreement becomes crucial in the backdrop of India's standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. It will also help Indian Navy to keep a close watch on Chinese Navies in Indian Ocean.

Secretary Pompeo said, ''US and India are taking steps to strengthen our cooperation against all manner of threats and not just those posed by Chinese Communist Party. Last year, we've expanded our cooperation on cyber issues, our navies have held joint exercises in Indian ocean: U.S.''

Meanwhile, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India had a constructive dialogue with Pompeo and Esper.

" I met Dr Esper yesterday to discuss bilateral defence issues. We continued our discussions on larger regional and global perspective today over the 2+2. Signing of BECA today after signing of LEMOA in 2016 and COMCASA in 2018 is a significant achievement in that direction," Singh tweeted.

Singh said during the meeting both the sides explored probable capacity building and other joint cooperation activities in third countries, including our neighbourhood and beyond.

"In our meeting, we shared assessment of the security situation across the Indo Pacific. In that process, we reaffirmed our commitment to peace, stability and prosperity of all countries in this region," Singh said.

He said: "We also agreed that upholding the rules based international order, respecting the rule of law and freedom of navigation in the international seas and upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states are essential."

Singh said: "We appreciate the visit of @SecPompeo and Secretary @EsperDoD to India. We had a very constructive dialogue and will continue to work together to strengthen our engagement in defence security and other areas.