Context

The US and India are auditing Kolkata port for a new Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA).

India and US to expand naval ship repair network

• In April 2024, Cochin Shipyard Ltd also signed a similar deal.
• The US navy signed MSRA deals with Larsen and Toubro as well as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd last year. 
  • As per the Defence Industrial Roadmap, US and India agree to work together for the creation of logistic, repair, and maintenance infrastructure for aircrafts and vessels in India. 

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About India-US Master Ship Repair Agreement

• Aim: To make India a major hub for maintenance and repair of US Navy ships in the Indo-Pacific. 
• Deals With: MSRA will allow US warships to access repair services at the port. The MSRA includes clauses on security, payments, liabilities etc. 
  • The agreement is reviewed every five years, or as required. 
  • The MSRA is a non-financial agreement.
• Significance: 
  • Opportunity: Undertaking repairs of these ships serves the commercial interest of Indian shipbuilders and will potentially lead to more such opportunities. 
  • Growing Network: The addition of Kolkata Port to this growing network will deepen India’s defense relationship with America. 
    • It could also potentially lead to increased interest from American allies abroad, like the UK, in using India as a hub for ship maintenance and repair. 
    • Example: In March this year, the UK’s Royal Navy said two of its auxiliary ships would undergo repair and maintenance at Katupalli Shipyard in Chennai. 

About the Indo-Pacific: Differing Perceptions

For the US, it extends up to the west coast of India which is also the geographic boundary of the US Indo-Pacific command whereas for India it includes the entire Indian Ocean and the western Pacific as highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his keynote speech at the Shangri La Dialogue in 2018.

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