/prod-the-processor/media/agency_attachments/EB8E9EAMaN2KqoFW4QbL.png)
India and the United States are gearing up for a comprehensive review of their rapidly expanding strategic partnership at the upcoming '2+2' foreign and defense ministerial dialogue. This crucial meeting is scheduled for November 10 and will feature the presence of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who are making the trip to India for this significant dialogue.
Heading the Indian delegation for the dialogue will be External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This marks the fifth installment of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, underscoring its enduring importance in shaping bilateral relations.
Regional and Multilateral Focus
The '2+2' dialogue will provide a platform for a comprehensive review of various facets, including defense and security cooperation, technology value chain collaborations, and people-to-people connections. Moreover, it will focus on advancing the forward-looking roadmap for the India-US partnership, aligning with the shared visions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joseph Biden, as discussed in their previous meetings this year.
Apart from reviewing contemporary regional issues, both sides will engage in discussions about shared priorities in the context of multilateral platforms. The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) will be a significant part of the agenda, reflecting its growing prominence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Bilateral Engagements
In addition to the main dialogue, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar will hold one-on-one meetings with their American counterparts. These interactions will continue to bolster the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic partnership.
Taking place against the backdrop of a dynamic and ever-evolving global landscape, the dialogue aims to reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the United States and India to their global partnership and their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Farwa Aamer, Director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute, as quoted by PTI, pointed out some key matters to watch. She highlighted the potential discussions related to the upcoming APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit and next year's general elections in both India and the United States. While Prime Minister Modi has been invited as a guest at the APEC summit, his attendance is uncertain due to domestic commitments and assembly election campaigns. Moreover, Aamer emphasized the significance of the expected meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the APEC summit, as it could shape US-India relations, given the evolving dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, strained India-China relations, and the broader international landscape.