Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) speaks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (center) and US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper during a meeting in New Delhi on October 27, 2020. Photo: PIB / AFP
MK Bhadrakumar, Asia Times: India-US intel deal may presage ‘Sixth Eye’
Indian analysts view the BECA as a matter of defense cooperation, but there is a parallel track involving the Five Eyes alliance. India and the United States on Tuesday signed an intelligence-sharing agreement during the “2+2” security dialogue between their foreign and defense ministers in New Delhi.
The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) is expected to provide India with access to the United States’ geospatial maps and satellite images that would help enhance the accuracy of weapons and drones. This is seen as a “force multiplier” for the Indian armed forces. Everything has been handled in such a hush-hush manner that the public at large has no clue as to what is afoot. Some military analysts caution that the new grid gives the US access to highly sensitive nerve centers of defense planning and operations in the Indian military establishment.
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WNU Editor: It s going to take a long time before India joins the Five Eyes. But this intelligence agreement between the U.S. and India is a start.
