Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations)
Why has this issue cropped up?
The much heralded 2+2 Dialogue between the U.S. and India finally fructified on September 6.
Purpose of 2+2
- The 2+2 format is a tactic employed by the U.S., intended to align the military, strategic and diplomatic policies of the involved countries.
- It is often intended to signify a ‘special relationship’ between the U.S. and the concerned nation.
India’s earlier stand on 2+2
- In the past, India was chary of endorsing the 2+2 formula, considering it alien to traditional diplomatic and strategic intercourse between nations.
- However, the U.S. succeeded in overcoming the inhibitions of India’s political, diplomatic and strategic community. It went out of its way to assuage many of India’s concerns.
Lop-sided outcome of 2+2
It seems that the U.S. has been the main beneficiary. With this Dialogue, the U.S. also seems to have succeeded in co-opting India into the U.S. strategic framework aimed at the containment of China.
The main takeaway of 2+2: COMCASA
- The principal takeaway from the 2+2 Dialogue was the signing of the Communications, Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) .
- COMCASA is expected to facilitate India’s access to advanced U.S. defence systems, and “enable India to optimally utilise existing U.S. origin platforms”.
- It is also expected to help the armed forces of both countries to enhance interoperability.
- COMCASA is part of four foundational agreements the U.S. believes are critical to establish a foolproof security relationship. The other three are:
- The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), signed in 2002.
- The Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), signed in 2016.
- Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA), yet to be signed.
The impact of COMCASA
- Far more than the other two foundational agreements, COMCASA entails greater integration with the U.S. military. The implications of this can be far-reaching.
- Having been earlier accorded the status of a major defence partner, and with COMCASA now affording access to advanced defence systems and U.S. origin platforms, India risks going down the ‘slippery slope’ of becoming a U.S. acolyte in conflicts not of its choosing.
What benefit does India derive from this 2+2 exercise?
- The U.S. seeks to become the principal defence supplier to India, and in the process displace Russia from this perch. Russia is not likely to take kindly to its displacement as India’s No.1 defence supplier. Any counter moves by Russia, such as seeking out Pakistan as an outlet for its defence items, will not be to India’s benefit.
- Our tilt towards the U.S. is also taking place at a time when the world sees the U.S. as a ‘declining power’. This is not 1991, when the Soviet Union had collapsed, China was not a dominant economic power, the U.S. had just demonstrated its unassailable military strength in Iraq, etc. At this time, for India to be tagged with the label of an U.S. acolyte is hardly the best option.
- China is a matter of concern, but not an imminent threat as far as India is concerned. The entire 2+2 Dialogue, on the other hand, seemed to centre on the threat posed by China. Pakistan is the more immediate threat for India. But this does not seem to fall within U.S. purview at present.
Conclusion
U.S. blandishments should not blind us to current realities. There can never be any compromise with our strategic autonomy or the strategic direction that we have chosen to follow all these years.
