The first round of the ‘2+2 dialogue’ between India with the United States will be held in New Delhi on September 6-7. The dialogue, which has been postponed twice earlier, will see External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman holding extensive talks with US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defence James Mattis, respectively.
What is ‘2+2’?
The dialogue is similar to India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue where two key officials of the two countries meet. In this case foreign and defence secretaries of the India and US will meet. This was decided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump when the Indian premier visited the White House in June 2017.
Aim of the dialogue
It aims to elevate and insulate the India-US strategic relationship from trade and commercial disputes between the two nations and replaces the India-US Strategic
and Commercial Dialogue.
“We have a true strategic partner who, frankly, is our only major defence partner, right, the only designated major defense partner, with whom we have a great relationship and who is very important to our success in our Indo-Pacific strategy enormous country with incredibly opportunity and capacity for wealth creation,” Pompeo saidon Tuesday to a question from reporters who are travelling with him to Pakistan and then to India.
The current geo-political climate
Afghanistan: India is averse to putting boots on the ground in Afghanistan, and wants to focus on developmental assistance instead. It also has issues with peace talks with Pakistan-backed Taliban, which the US has initiated.
Pakistan: Even as the US has reiterated a $300 million cut in its aid to Pakistan,India is likely to seek US help to put more pressure on Pakistan over terrorism, while Washington is likely to press Delhi to initiate talks with the new government there.
Sanctions: The US sanctions on Russia and Iran have an impact on India. A defiant New Delhi has said it will decide on oil and gas purchases from Iran based on national interests, and go ahead with its purchase of the S400 Triumf anti-missile system from Russia. “They are (missile system purchase from Russia and oil from Iran) part of the conversation. They are part of the relationship. They will certainly come up, but I don’t think they will be the primary focus of what it is we are trying to accomplish here,” Pompeo said on Tuesday to a question from reporters who are travelling with him to Pakistan and then to India.
China: US is planning to check Beijing’s aggressive military pursuits in the South China Sea and its ‘coercive’ economic policies in the region like the Belt and Road Initiative.
Discussion points
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