Pakistan has renewed a COMCASA-like pact, a communication interoperability and security agreement, with the United States, indicating an improvement in the relationship between the two countries.

This renewed trust between the US and Pakistan comes against the backdrop of Pakistan providing arms and ammunition to Ukraine and reportedly, as a quid pro quo, the US assisted Pakistan obtaining a $3 billion IMF bailout package.

Pakistan had earlier signed a Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum (CIS-MOA) agreement with the US in October 2005.

This was part of the three foundational agreements — the Logistics Supply Agreement (LSA), CISMOA, and the Basic Exchange and Co-operation Agreement (BECA) — that the US signs with all its military allies.

India has also signed all three foundational agreements with the US.

The 15-year period of the agreement expired in 2020. After a gap of almost three years, it was renewed with the Pakistan cabinet quietly signing the pact.

However, there is no official announcement of the renewal, with both the Pakistan and US governments deciding not to comment, according to a report by the Economic Times.

This could be seen as a sign of improving relations between Pakistan and the US, coming close on the heels of the meeting between the Chief of US Central Commands (CENTCOM), General Michael Erik Kurilla, and Pakistan Army Chief General Asif Munir.

This agreement could also lead to the US once again providing weapons to Pakistan as a token of appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance to Ukraine.

The CISMOA pact deals with ensuring secure military communications, leading to greater interoperability between the signatory and the US military.

This agreement also allows the user military to share and interoperate with other CISMOA signatory nations operating US communication equipment, thereby increasing interoperability among other allied nations.