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Agenda 2020: Defence and strategic issues to dominate Indo-US talks

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Robust defence cooperation and strategic issues of common interests will be the main talking points when India and the US, hold their second 2+2 Ministerial dialogue on Wednesday in Washington DC.

This will be a combined dialogue involving the External Affairs Minister of India Dr S. Jaishankar and the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the Secretary of Defence Mark Esper.

Defence matters

Amongst the various issues related to defence that will be discussed, the signing of the Industrial Security Annex (ISA) is important as this will enable the US manufacturers bidding for big ticket defence deals to partner with Indian private companies. In the context of the multi-billion-dollar deal for the 114 fighter jets, this will enable the two sides to immediately move forward with the deal.

Also Read: UNSC meeting on ‘J&K’ called by China deferred

The two sides will review the steps being taken to operationalize the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) that was signed previously during the last 2+2 dialogue in 2018.

File image of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with his US counterpart Mark Esper

However, differences have emerged on the agreement related to Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial Cooperation (BECA). It is not expected to be signed during the meeting.

The progress of other defence deals such as the 24 Lockeed Martin MH 60-R Multi-Role helicopters will be reviewed.

Finally, India will be concerned about the sanctions that may be imposed on New Delhi related to the S-400 deal with Russia under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Earlier this year, Turkey was sanctioned.

Strategic issues

The QUAD grouping and matters related to it will be central to the discussions surrounding strategic issues along with the situation in Afghanistan and US policy on Iran.

The QUAD grouping involving India, Australia, Japan and the US seek to evolve a common policy on various issues related to the Indo-Pacific region including freedom of peaceful navigation in high seas.

However, this is purely a strategic forum and India has clearly stated that it sees no military role for itself in this regard.

Recent instability involving the Afghan Presidential elections and the talks between the international community and Taliban shall also be discussed along with the situation in Iran.

Other issues

Issues pertaining to the situation in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh including removal of all restrictions and release of political prisoners may be discussed. Though, India has clearly stated that it is an internal issue and the local authorities shall decide on the formalities regarding removal of restrictions and release of prisoners.

The US has also expressed concerns regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to explain the Indian position and clear all doubts and misgivings regarding the same.

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