….visit to Ukraine…a balancing act..AND..Defence Minister in USA….!! Well organised..!! But how will we react to Ukraine PM’s statement…India must consider to stop supply of crude oil from Russia, to weaken Russia in war…
He will say what he has to say—that is their stance. We can’t buy Iran 🇮🇷 oil because of US sanctions, but we cannot let go the Russian oil, specially when Europe is guzzling Russian gas.
Let them first stop buying Russian gas for the whole of Europe.
In the context of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit to the USA, India and the United States have signed a non-binding agreement called the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA).
Let us address your questions about this agreement and compare it to previous agreements:
## SOSA as a Non-Binding Agreement
The Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) is described as a non-binding, bilateral defence cooperation agreement[1]. This means that while it establishes a framework for cooperation, it does not create legally enforceable obligations for either country. The non-binding nature of SOSA allows for greater flexibility in implementation and can be seen as a stepping stone towards more formal arrangements.
Key aspects of SOSA include:
1. Reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defense[1].
2. Enabling both countries to acquire industrial resources from each other to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions[1].
3. Establishing working groups and communication mechanisms to address potential supply chain issues[4].
## Comparison with LEMOA and COMCASA
In contrast to SOSA, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) are legally binding agreements. These agreements are part of the foundational agreements between India and the United States and carry more formal obligations:
1. LEMOA: Signed in 2016, this agreement allows the military forces of both countries to use each other's bases for replenishment and refueling.
2. COMCASA: Signed in 2018, this agreement enables the transfer of high-end encrypted communication and satellite data between the armed forces of both countries.
The key differences between SOSA and these previous agreements are:
1. Legal status: SOSA is non-binding, while LEMOA and COMCASA are legally binding.
2. Scope: SOSA focuses on supply chain cooperation, while LEMOA and COMCASA deal with logistics and communications respectively.
3. Implementation: The non-binding nature of SOSA allows for more flexible implementation compared to the more structured approach of LEMOA and COMCASA.
## Reasons for a Non-Binding Agreement
There are several potential reasons why SOSA was structured as a non-binding agreement:
1. Flexibility: It allows both countries to adapt the arrangement as needed without formal treaty amendments.
2. Faster implementation: Non-binding agreements can often be put into practice more quickly than formal treaties.
3. Testing ground: It can serve as a precursor to more formal arrangements, allowing both sides to assess the effectiveness of the cooperation.
4. Political considerations: Non-binding agreements may face less scrutiny and potential opposition in domestic political spheres.
It's worth noting that while SOSA is non-binding, it is still considered a significant step in strengthening the US-India defense partnership[3]. The agreement is expected to enhance cooperation between the defense industries of both countries and improve supply chain resilience in the defense sector.
….visit to Ukraine…a balancing act..AND..Defence Minister in USA….!! Well organised..!! But how will we react to Ukraine PM’s statement…India must consider to stop supply of crude oil from Russia, to weaken Russia in war…
He will say what he has to say—that is their stance. We can’t buy Iran 🇮🇷 oil because of US sanctions, but we cannot let go the Russian oil, specially when Europe is guzzling Russian gas.
Let them first stop buying Russian gas for the whole of Europe.
Nicely written post. Can you also tell why it is non binding agreement? Were LEMOA, COMCASA also non binding agreements?
Thank you very much for your kind comments.
In the context of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's ongoing visit to the USA, India and the United States have signed a non-binding agreement called the Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA).
Let us address your questions about this agreement and compare it to previous agreements:
## SOSA as a Non-Binding Agreement
The Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) is described as a non-binding, bilateral defence cooperation agreement[1]. This means that while it establishes a framework for cooperation, it does not create legally enforceable obligations for either country. The non-binding nature of SOSA allows for greater flexibility in implementation and can be seen as a stepping stone towards more formal arrangements.
Key aspects of SOSA include:
1. Reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defense[1].
2. Enabling both countries to acquire industrial resources from each other to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions[1].
3. Establishing working groups and communication mechanisms to address potential supply chain issues[4].
## Comparison with LEMOA and COMCASA
In contrast to SOSA, the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) are legally binding agreements. These agreements are part of the foundational agreements between India and the United States and carry more formal obligations:
1. LEMOA: Signed in 2016, this agreement allows the military forces of both countries to use each other's bases for replenishment and refueling.
2. COMCASA: Signed in 2018, this agreement enables the transfer of high-end encrypted communication and satellite data between the armed forces of both countries.
The key differences between SOSA and these previous agreements are:
1. Legal status: SOSA is non-binding, while LEMOA and COMCASA are legally binding.
2. Scope: SOSA focuses on supply chain cooperation, while LEMOA and COMCASA deal with logistics and communications respectively.
3. Implementation: The non-binding nature of SOSA allows for more flexible implementation compared to the more structured approach of LEMOA and COMCASA.
## Reasons for a Non-Binding Agreement
There are several potential reasons why SOSA was structured as a non-binding agreement:
1. Flexibility: It allows both countries to adapt the arrangement as needed without formal treaty amendments.
2. Faster implementation: Non-binding agreements can often be put into practice more quickly than formal treaties.
3. Testing ground: It can serve as a precursor to more formal arrangements, allowing both sides to assess the effectiveness of the cooperation.
4. Political considerations: Non-binding agreements may face less scrutiny and potential opposition in domestic political spheres.
It's worth noting that while SOSA is non-binding, it is still considered a significant step in strengthening the US-India defense partnership[3]. The agreement is expected to enhance cooperation between the defense industries of both countries and improve supply chain resilience in the defense sector.
Sources
[1] India, U.S. ink 2 key deals as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits ... https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-us-ink-2-key-deals-as-defence-minister-rajnath-singh-visits-washington/article68558052.ece
[2] Rajnath Singh US visit: India, US ink 2 key defence agreements in ... https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-us-defence-agreement-rajnath-singh-washington-visit-sosa-deal-2587017-2024-08-23
[3] SOSA India US RDP defence agreements Rajnath Singh - ThePrint https://theprint.in/defence/sosa-done-india-us-now-aim-for-rdp-a-look-at-these-two-critical-defence-agreements/2235125/
[4] India, US sign reciprocal defence agreement during Rajnath Singh's ... https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Aug/23/india-us-sign-reciprocal-defence-agreement-during-rajnath-singhs-visit-to-washington
[5] Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Holds a Press ... https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3882144/deputy-pentagon-press-secretary-sabrina-singh-holds-a-press-briefing/