From Left to Right: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (India) (India), Subramaniam Jaishankar (MEA Chief-India), US Secretary of State (Antony Blinken), US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
On November 10, 2023, the India-Us 2+2 Dialogue concluded with ministers on both sides holding discussions on strategic areas and defence ties, cooperation in space, technology, and increased people to people contacts.
MEA Chief Remarks
In a post on X, the Indian foreign minister Subramaniam Jaishankar said “Followed up on PM Modi’s state visit to the United States of America this June, our agenda covered advancing our strategic partnerships, including thr elevation of our defence ties, moving forward in space and tech coupled with people to people contacts and future logisitics cooperation.
The talks also included discussions on wider areas such as the Indo-Pacific region to the fallout of the Russia-Ukraine War, Israel-Hamas Conflict in West Asian region. “Also exchanged perspectives on Indo-Pacific, South Asia, West Asia and Ukraine Conflict,” he wrote. “Thank US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the Defence Secretary Llyod Austin for their friendship and contributions,” Jaishankar added in the post.
With India being a collective voice of the Global South, the nation pledged further engagement in the region. New Delhi also reaffirmed its commitment to its collaboration with the US on multilateral partnerships.
Key Issues Discussed
The India-Us 2+2 Dialogues came shortly after Blinken held bilateral talks with Jaishankar, where thr two ministers discussed and had an open and productive conversation. As China continues to hold expansionist ambitions in the Indo-Pacific Region, Defence Secretary (US) Llyod Austin said the security challenged posed by Beijing were part of the discussion.
Predator Drone Deal
On the MQ-9 Predator Drones, Austin said that there is no new announcement regarding the potential dead and the announcement will be made at the right time. “We are doing everything so that India gets this capability, But both of us are building an armored vehicle. Have sent a letter of request and they have to respond, the defence secretary said on thr predator drone deal. Speaking on the GE-F-414 Engines deal between the two nations the defence secretary said it is on track.
On West Asia
In a press briefing after the ministerial dialogue, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that during the meet, the ministers restated India’s long-standing position on the Israel-Palestine Conflict which calls for a two-state solution. He added that the ministers also called for an early resumption of the dialogue condemning the terror attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023. A support for continuation of humanitarian aid in Gaza was showed during the ministerial dialogue.
India-Canada Row
Asked if the talks on the India-Canada Row also featured in the key dialogue, Kwatra said “We have been having consistent conversations with all our friends and partners. Our position has been explained on multiple occasions and arenas.
On video threats by Khalistani terrorists Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Indian Foreign Secretary Kwatra said it presents serious security concerns. Other upcoming issues were also discussed in the dialogue particularly on West Asia, was the upcoming India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC) which is a rival to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
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