INDIA EXPANDS INTELLIGENCE PARTNERSHIPS, TURNS PROVIDER FROM CONSUMER

Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, signed in 2016, enabled operational coordination and logistical support.

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The Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, signed in 2018, allowed India to use secure encrypted communication systems compatible with US military platforms. The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2020, granted India access to high-resolution geospatial intelligence, including satellite mapping data, nautical charts, and advanced navigational information. These agreements significantly enhanced India’s ability to monitor military activity and conduct precision surveillance.

India has also expanded intelligence cooperation with Israel, particularly in surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Indian forces operate Israeli-origin Heron and Searcher unmanned aerial vehicles for continuous aerial surveillance along sensitive land borders and maritime areas. In 2017, India approved procurement of additional Heron TP drones capable of operating at higher altitudes and longer ranges. Israeli radar systems, electronic monitoring platforms, and surveillance technologies have strengthened India’s ability to detect infiltration, monitor border activity, and conduct reconnaissance operations.