The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is a military agreement, or pact, signed between the armed forces of India and the United States. It is an India-specific version of the US's standard Logistics Support Agreement (LSA). The agreement was signed on August 29, 2016, during the visit of then-Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to Washington, D.C. The pact was created to solve the problem of a long and tedious process of case-by-case payments for logistical support during joint activities.
LEMOA works by establishing basic terms and procedures for the reciprocal provision of logistical support, supplies, and services on a reimbursable basis. It allows both countries to access designated military facilities for refueling and replenishment. The logistical support covered includes fuel, food, water, spare parts, medical services, and repair and maintenance. The agreement primarily applies to four areas: port calls, joint exercises, training, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR). A key mechanism is the institution of a book-keeping system where a ledger is maintained for transactions, and only the residual balance is paid at the end of the fiscal year, replacing immediate cash payments. Crucially, the agreement does not provide for the establishment of any permanent US military bases on Indian soil.
LEMOA is one of the three "foundational agreements" that the US seeks to sign with its close military partners. The other two agreements India has signed are the General Security Of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) (signed in 2002) and the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) (signed in 2018). The fourth foundational agreement is the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA). The agreement has not been replaced or amended since its signing, but it has been officially announced as "fully operationalised."