Top diplomats from India and the United States met on Friday for the fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with Defense Secretary Lloyd and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Austin in New Delhi.
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Challenges determined, and Solutions explored
The fifth annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue commenced on Friday as Foreign and Defence Ministers of India and the U.S. met in New Delhi to discuss matters of predominant concern. The meeting referred to the June 2023 and September 2023 visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden. The Ministers stressed the significance of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in assuring international peace and security.
The two nations have an influential role in the current geo-political scenario as they share a commitment to advanced democracy and converging strategic interests. Further, both sides agreed to promote a resilient and regulated international order with respect for international law, including the UN Charter, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in his opening remarks at the meeting, said the dialogue is an opportunity for the advancement of the visions iterated by the leaders of India and the US. He reaffirmed the need to build a forward-looking partnership while constructing a shared global agenda.
The two nations discussed the challenge put forward by an assertive China in the Indo-Pacific region and deliberated on exploring ways to expand their strategic collaboration.
Mutual concern over global disruptions
The Ministers expressed their deep concern over the war developing in Ukraine and the tragic incidents that occur on a humanitarian level. They discussed the effects of the war on the global economic system and food security, focusing more on the Global South. The nations pledged to continue giving aid to the people of Ukraine and agreed on the need for post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine.
The discussions also noted the dangerous proliferation of humanitarian crises in Israel. Both sides reaffirmed that they stand with Israel against terrorism and called for compliance with international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. They ensured continued assistance to the suffering Palestinians in Gaza and called for the immediate release of hostages.
Strengthening defence partnership
The meeting also discussed fortifying their multifaceted defence cooperation under the project initiated at the June 2023 Roadmap for India-U.S. Defence Industrial Cooperation. The sides expressed interest in the collaboration of space and artificial intelligence.
At a separate briefing on the 2+2 dialogue, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said that India is finalising the commercial arrangement and resolving the legal requirements for the deal between General Electric (GE) Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The agreement fixates on the joint production of F414 engines in India.
The Ministers look forward to the brisk finalisation of a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), a pivotal priority in the Roadmap, which will further integrate the defence industrial ecosystems of both nations and strengthen supply chain resilience. Both sides committed to India’s growing maintenance and repair of the MRO sector, which includes aircraft sustentation and repair of US naval vessels. The Ministers welcomed the launch of the INDUS-X Gurukul Education series to sanction startups to leverage opportunities in the defence ecosystems of India and the US. The India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) commenced in June 2023.
The talks also produced the mutual agreement in India’s full membership of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), headquartered in Bahrain. The Ministers decided to summon the 20th Meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and the 5th Designations Dialogue at a mutually appropriate date early next year. Both nations look forward to the next edition of the Homeland Security Dialogue in 2024.
India concerned over pro-Khalistan activities in Canada
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, at a media briefing after the meeting, said that India conveyed its concern over the proliferating issues of pro-Khalistani activities in Canada during the 2+2 meeting. He said that the position of India in the matter remains the same as it has been before. The relations between India and Canada are going through a rough patch since September after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau alleged a potential link between Indian government agents and the death of a Khalistani leader in June.
Securing the Indo-Pacific region
The ministers reaffirmed the importance of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region with progressive collaboration between India and the US. They emphasized the significance of Quad and the global good it does for the people. India will conduct the 2024 Quad summit.
The Ministers affirmed the significance of exchanging views on shared global challenges, such as cooperation in multilateral forums and promoting respect for human rights globally and look forward to the Ministry of External Affairs and the U.S. Department of State holding the next India-US Global Issues Forum in New Delhi in 2024.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken pointed to cooperative efforts against illegal activities such as piracy, phishing, and drug trafficking, along with combined initiatives for humanitarian relief and disaster response in the Indo-Pacific.
Key issues discussed in the dialogue
- Indo-Pacific security
- Ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Russia and Ukraine
- Progressive steps in defence collaboration
- Quad 2024
- Cooperation in technology, energy, health, and maritime forces
- Canada and pro-Khalistan activities
- Counter-terrorism
