During the ongoing G20 Summit, Congress leader Manish Tiwari has directed questions at the Indian government regarding the recently released Indo-US joint statement. Tiwari seeks clarification on whether India intends to provide military bases to United States forces on Indian territory.
G20 Summit 2023 witnessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting US President Joe Biden for a dinner on Friday. However, immediately after the release of the Indo-US joint statement, Congress leader Manish Tiwari launched a critical inquiry, questioning whether India is contemplating offering land for a US military base.
The White House unveiled the India-US joint statement, prompting Tiwari’s inquiry about potential US military bases on Indian soil. He raised the concern that this statement might serve as a precursor to such an arrangement. Tiwari’s queries remain unanswered as of now, with no response from BJP leaders regarding the discussion of this matter in parliament.
The joint statement acknowledged the conclusion of a second Master Ship Repair Agreement, signed in August 2023 between the U.S. Navy and Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. This agreement signifies a commitment to advance India as a hub for maintaining and repairing forward-deployed U.S. Navy assets, aircraft, and vessels.
Manish Tiwari also highlighted this Master Ship Repair Agreement in his post, drawing attention to the strengthening ties in naval cooperation between the two nations.
The ongoing G20 Summit in Delhi witnessed significant diplomatic engagements, with Prime Minister Modi and President Biden discussing various issues. The White House’s statement further mentioned their commitment to advancing India as a maintenance and repair hub for US Navy assets.
The concerns raised by Manish Tiwari in the context of the joint statement highlight the delicate balance between enhancing security collaboration and addressing national interests in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
