Ministers of India and US held 2+2 dialogue
On Thursday, September 6, 2018, the first ever India US 2+2 dialogue was held in New Delhi. Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held talks with Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and Defence secretary James Mattis under long awaited 2+2 dialogue between India and US.
India-US agreed to have 2+2 dialogue between the external affairs and defence ministers of both countries when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Washington and met with US president Donald Trump last year in June.
I congratulate Secretary Mike Pompeo, Secretary James Mattis, EAM @SushmaSwaraj and RM @nsitharaman for a very productive first ever India US 2+2 dialogue. I am sure this dialogue will further deepen India-USA relations. @SecPompeo @DeptofDefense pic.twitter.com/qpEulXvqYw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 6, 2018
During 2+2 dialogue External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj had a productive meeting with Secretary of states Mike Pompeo and discussed bilateral and regional issues for elevating and strengthening the bilateral partnership between India and US.
During 2+2 dialogue India and US signed a security pact COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement), discussed about H1B visa issues, cross border terrorism and decided to establish the hotline between India foreign and defence ministers of India and US. COMCASA will allow India to access the advanced new defence systems of US like armed drones and.
Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said in a statement, “The recent decision by the United States to put India in the list of countries eligible for Strategic Trade Authorization Tier-I License Exemption reflects New Delhi’s robust and responsible export control policies. In our meeting today, we also agreed to work together to secure India’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group at the earliest”.
Elevating and strengthening our strategic partnership! EAM @SushmaSwaraj welcomed US Secretary of State @SecPompeo ahead of bilateral talks. pic.twitter.com/93zrT2tdAD
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) September 6, 2018
The statement mentioned about US’ full support for India’s NSG membership, it said, “The US welcomed India’s accession to the Australia Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Missile Technology Control Regime and reiterated its full support for India’s immediate accession to the NSG”.
Swaraj said, “Our counter-terrorism cooperation has acquired a new qualitative edge and purpose… We welcomed the recent designations of LeT terrorists by the US. They underscore the international community’s scrutiny over the threat of terrorism emanating from Pakistan”.
After bilateral talks between foreign and defence ministers, secretary of states Mike Pompeo and defence secretary James Mattis briefed to PM Narendra Modi on the first 2+2 dialogue. A statement from Prime minister’s office said, “The prime minister fondly recalled his interactions with President Trump and requested the secretaries to convey his greetings to him.
