Mark Esper, secretary of the Department of Defense and a 2020 Wash100 Award winner, met with Rajnath Singh, India’s defense minister, to discuss the basic exchange and cooperation agreement (BECA) to facilitate sharing of sensitive satellite intelligence data between the two countries, The Hill reported Monday.
“The two ministers expressed satisfaction that agreement of BECA will be signed during the visit,” India’s defense ministry said in a statement published Monday.
The agreement would provide India access to aeronautical, topographical and nautical intelligence data to address armed drones and missiles and help facilitate sharing of communications and other sensitive data.
Talks on the agreement come amid heightened tensions between India and China along the Himalayan border.
