India, US sign key defence pact

The United States and India began talks to deepen political and security ties on Thursday, signing a military agreement that could lead to increased US arms sales to New Delhi.

The Communications, Compatibility, Security Agreement (Comcasa) was signed in Delhi after the first ‘2+2’ talks between external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with US Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo and Defence Secretary James Mattis.

Comcasa will allow the militaries of the two countries to securely communicate with each other. Experts believe the signing of the agreement could also reduce the chances of the United States imposing sanctions on India for looking to buy Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems.