Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) is a significant pact between India and Japan, signed in September 2020. It aims to promote active defense cooperation between the two countries. The ACSA works as a framework that facilitates the provision of military logistics support, including supplies and services, to each other`s armed forces during joint exercises, training, and United Nations peacekeeping operations.

ACSA strengthens India-Japan ties in the defense sector and provides an additional layer of strategic cooperation to counter common security threats in the region. This agreement also paves the way for joint defense equipment development and production, which will boost the Make in India initiative.

Japan sees India as a trusted partner, and the ACSA will further enhance the defense partnership between the two nations. India and Japan are both maritime nations with a shared commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region. The ACSA will enable them to improve their military interoperability and coordination, which is critical in addressing maritime security challenges such as piracy, smuggling, and terrorism.

With the ACSA in place, India and Japan can now share critical logistics support and services to enhance the operational capabilities of their armed forces. This support may include fuel, food, transportation, ammunition, and medical assistance. This agreement also facilitates the exchange of military information, making it easier for both countries to evaluate potential security threats and devise appropriate responses.

Furthermore, the ACSA is a significant step towards building a more comprehensive security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region, which is increasingly being seen as a crucial theater for global strategic competition. This pact also strengthens the Indo-Pacific vision of a free, open, and inclusive region, based on the rule of law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In conclusion, the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement between India and Japan is an important development in their defense partnership. The agreement will not only enhance military interoperability and coordination but also contribute significantly to the maritime security of the region. It will also promote the exchange of military equipment, technology, and information between the two nations, leading to an overall strengthening of India-Japan ties.