Ms. Rabia Nazir
Overview
A technological and militarian equipment agreement between India and United States known as Communication Compatibility And Security Agreement (COMCASA) signed on September 6, 2018 side lined by 2+2 dialogue between the Foreign and Defense Minister of both states.India had already been enjoying assistance from U.S in other agreements i.e. The Logistic Support Agreement (LSA), the Communication and Information Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA) and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in accordance with CISMOA that is specified with an upgraded version COMCASA. However, the deals are more acknowledged into their militancy and technological advancement. Indian’s forsaken philosophy of Non-Alignment has grown fainted since the collapse with Soviet Union and now marching towards U.S remarkable heavens.
Maneuvering of India and U.S would be a game changing process in the matter of withdrawal from different deals with neighboring states. After the administration of Trump with the policy “America First” implemented the US congress of Countering America’s Adversaries thorough Sanction Act (CAATSA) law. Those laws were a brief description of walking out from Iran oil purchase, acquiring arms from Russia and making no progress in Chabahar Port of Iran, for instance U.S ample contradiction towards Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Contrarily, as India’s playing on both fronts can make the strategic polices difficult for their own national interest. China being contributing in two blue waters i.e. India Ocean and Indian-Pacific lead to water wars and creating ones hegemony over the water bodies is dire need of the claiming the regions. Those water wars are mainly with China and its allied groups. India and United States would likely to cause a paradox in the region where naval capabilities are being challenged.
The factors leading India into such type of agreement with U.S,is a consideration to change the dynamics and hold onto the water bodiesby playing strategically strong. Now the question of inquiry is whether India would be able to secure its strategic interest by signed agreement of COMCASA with United States of America or direct focus on one region.
Understanding COMCASA Deal
Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COCASA) is a legal framework signed in between India and United States for the assistance of communication security equipments to facilitate the forces and militancy of India in”interoperability”. The “2+2 dialogue” between Foreign Minister Shushma Sawaraj and Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of India with Mike Pompeo Foreign Minister and Defense Minister James Mattis in New Delhion the agreement. The agenda of meeting two states into a bilateral relationship was put forward in Obama’s administration but Trump’s administration gave a hard time to India. U.S and India already been indulged into other three foundational agreements like the Logistic Support Agreement (LSA), the Communication and Information Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA) and the future deal of Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA). Those 1-2-3 agreements with US contain the transfer of well equipment for the encrypted communication as well as the security in terms of maritime affairs. India will likely to enjoy the technology of America to import tactical weapons, warships, naval P81 LRMP aircraft, MH-70 ship-borne helicopter, Sea guardian arm drones and IAF aircraft like C-17, C-130 and Chinook heavy-lift aircraft etc. It can be clearly seen now that the President of United States wants India to be a part of Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) by giving a stance against Pakistan sponsored terrorism and the Trump’s administration also initiated that he is concerned about the nuclear deal with Russia to secure it naval bases and the requirement of oil from Iran.
Along with the new sanctions, US is trying to compete China, as the naval Bases capabilities is enhancing and trying her best to have hold over the region. Keeping in view those China smart moves has gone towards the edge which is known as “Edge-Zone situation”. However, those growing capabilities of China creating restlessness to US, and now the strategy could be more complex. Substantially, the interest US has utilized in India by signing the agreement is an answer to China that they both would collectively response to the call. So that the interoperability would catch up to the activities, China is smartly using to enhance the credibility and have all ears towards the venture.
Most importantly, COMCASA has real game to play for India to have operative equipments almost all the tenure of validity. Another important feature of COMCASA would be coded and decoded communication among both states to have a useful approach of technology and their prior consent over the managed and secured data transfer.
Strategic Concerns
As per the strategic concerns of India and US, both are optimistic towards their national interests but predicting that would be a bit too early. U.S has ensured India to provide naval bases in the Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean and US opposition towards BRI is really a matter of unsettlement among contradicting regions. A fear India carry is that today or tomorrow China will turn out the cards and all game goes out of their hand. So, India is trying to play smartly and signing different agreements with United States, apart from the recent deliberated conflict by India to Pakistan. India being connected with Pakistan would never miss a chance to topple its position down in the international arena and that is what India gained by signing COMCASA agreement. When talking about why US is more concerned by developing relationship with India because of China’s rising superpower through their Trading strategy. Indiaon the one hand has COMCASA and on the other is Shangri-La dialogue with China, changing its dynamics from Asia-Pacific towards Indo-Pacific.
Along with the fact that US also has strategic concerns over the Indo-Pacific region and COMCASA is a gateway for both countries. Hence, that can be retain by developing of naval bases and coded equipments along withcatching signals of any submarine or any activity being done by Pakistan and China. Furthermore, the strategic partnership with US can cost India by enacting the CAATSA law because US would always put her first rather engaging into other bilateral or quadrilateral deals with the contradicting states. Nonetheless, US’s inner fear of China is no less then attentiveness with intelligible realities. Now, the strategies of both states are well concerned and comprehended through their common agreements and keeping aside the other states, the only goal they would consider is to focus more on their national interest which is an obvious matter.
The Way Forward
Currently,the strategy of COMCASA between India and U.S, are not the only solution for India’s problems. Situation seems complex because at one side, India has joined the SCO and on the other hand signing COMCASA deal which means there is no chanceto pull her legs out of the situation.In contrast, India is importing oil from Iran and arms trade from Russia. According to CAATSA law India cannot trade with Russia and Iranand could not be able to invest into hers other agreement with China, Pakistan and all the other ASEAN countries. The SCO organization expectations depends on their trade ties but after having deal on COMCASA, India has to choose a one way option whether to choose hers strategic partner or geographic partners at one end. Another matter should be recognized by the policy of both states, they have in common, to put their national interest by balancing out New Delhi “India first” policy and Trump’s “America first” policy. The agreement has many pros and cons within its structure but when the national interest comes in between the states all runs over their policy.India should consider her neighbors first rather jumping on entirely onto other world that would cast out in no time.Furthermore,COMCASA agreement could provide safe heavens in terms of security and information gather but cannot provide a peaceful bilateral relationship. India should not consider it as a smart move but open her eyes towards other agreements as well and also need to take some wise decision.
– The author is a Research Associate at the Center for Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS), a think-tank based in Islamabad with the mission to help improve policy and decision making through analysis and research.
