The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday expressed serious concern at the Modi government signing the ‘Logistic Exchange Memorandum of Agreement’ (LEMOA) with the United States: if the Congress said it will jeopardise India’s national, geo-global and strategic interests, the CPI (M) stressed it “has compromised on Indian sovereignty and surrendered its strategic autonomy”.
Asking for an explanation, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said his party wants the contents of the agreement to be placed in the public domain or at least shared with the leadership of the Opposition parties.
Mr. Surjewala also pointed out that this Agreement would “cause serious misgivings, unless explained and justified, among India’s traditional partners and time tested allies, regionally and globally,” unless the government comes up with a credible explanation.
The CPI (M) Polit Bureau, in a statement, said by signing the LEMOA, “India has acquired the formal status of a military ally of the United States. Under this agreement, the U.S. air force and navy can use Indian naval and air bases for logistics support, refuelling and services on a regular basis. The U.S. armed forces can utilise Indian military bases while conducting military operations in third countries.”
