Just one week before the presidential election, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed a major military agreement last Tuesday in India. He was accompanied by Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
The pact, known as BECA, or the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation, enables India and the United States to share sensitive satellite data, often used to steer missiles and drones. The accord provides India with access to a range of topographical, nautical and aeronautical data and allows the United States to provide advanced navigational aids and avionics on U.S.-supplied aircraft to India. India has bought tens of billions of dollars – Boeing P-8i, C-17, Apache helicopters, Lockheed Martin C-130J transport planes, Seahawk helicopters and more.
Pompeo said he “highlighted the capabilities of Indian defense industry and their usefulness in the supply chain of major U.S. platforms and systems. We have identified priority near-term projects for joint development between respective agencies.”
“Big things are happening as our democracies align to better protect the citizens of our two countries and indeed, of the free world,” Pompeo said at a news conference held outdoors amid the pandemic. Participants removed their masks only when speaking into their microphones.
Earlier, Pompeo and Esper met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They discussed “COVID-19 response, security and defense cooperation, and shared interests in a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The main reason for the visit was the “2+2 meeting” where the pair interacted in detail with India’s foreign minister S. Jaishankar and India’s defense minister Rajnath Singh.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
