India, Japan sign reciprocal supply and service agreement for forces

This agreement establishes the enabling framework for closer cooperation between the armed forces of India and Japan in reciprocal provision of supplies and services while engaged in bilateral training activities, United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, humanitarian international relief and other mutually agreed activities.

The agreement will also enhance the interoperability between the armed force of India and Japan thereby further increasing the bilateral defence engagements under the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between the two countries.

Japanese envoy to India Satoshi Suzuki who signed the pact tweeted, "Great pleasure to sign the agreement concerning reciprocal provision of supplies and services between #JSDF and the #IndianArmedForces. Hope the agreement will further promote cooperation between them."

The agreement was signed after India and Japan on Thursday held their annual summit over the telephone as Delhi and Tokyo concluded the much anticipated Mutual Logistic Pact for their Navies to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region amid China’s aggressive policies.

This was outgoing Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s first summit after he announced his decision to step down over health reasons. Both sides, however, decided to go ahead with the annual summit talks as scheduled on 10 September.

“With regard to the significant enhancement of Japan-India relations in recent years, Prime Minister Abe stated that both Prime Ministers took actions towards realising the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific and the Special Strategic and Global Partnership between Japan and India was elevated to greater heights,” according to a readout issued by the Japanese government following the conversation.

“In this context, both Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of India Concerning Reciprocal Provision of Supplies and Services between the Self-Defense Forces of Japan and the Indian Armed Forces (so-called "Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement", or ACSA) on September 9.”

The ACSA (commonly referred to as Logistics Pact) would permit the Indian Navy access to a Japanese base in Djibouti. The Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JSDF) would be permitted to use India’s military installations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

India currently has similar pacts with the US, Australia, France and is likely to sign one with Russia later this year.

The two leaders reaffirmed their mutual trust and friendship and also recalled their shared experiences during visits to each other's countries.

Both Prime Ministers affirmed that the basic policy of Japan-India-emphasis remains unchanged, and concurred with each other that the two countries continue to work closely in such areas as security, economy, and economic cooperation.