The 2+2 dialogue represents a pivotal and methodical framework where India engages in discussions with its strategic allies, bringing together the foreign and defense ministers to address intricate strategic and security concerns. This dialogue platform is designed to facilitate a deep understanding of each other’s strategic priorities, considering the intricate political dynamics of both nations. The ultimate goal is to fortify and consolidate their strategic partnership, a crucial endeavour in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape.
India has initiated 2+2 dialogues with four prominent strategic allies: the United States, Australia, Japan, and Russia. Notably, these nations, apart from Russia, also form the foundation of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, often referred to as the Quad.
In September 2021, India inaugurated its maiden 2+2 dialogue with Australia, a significant step where External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh engaged in constructive discussions with their Australian counterparts, Marise Payne and Peter Dutton, in New Delhi.
In December 2021, India conducted its inaugural 2+2 dialogue with Russia, marking a substantial milestone in India-Russia relations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited India for these deliberations.
The 2+2 dialogue format with Japan commenced in November 2019, involving Foreign Affairs Minister Motegi Toshimitsu and Minister of Defense Kono Taro alongside their Indian counterparts, S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh.
2+2 With the US
Dialogue with the United States is a cornerstone of India’s strategic partnerships. The inaugural 2+2 dialogue between India and the United States occurred during the Trump Administration, featuring then Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and then Secretary of Defense James Mattis. This engagement was held in New Delhi in September 2018 and was emblematic of the shared dedication of both nations to chart a forward-looking vision for their strategic partnership and promote synchronized diplomatic and security efforts.
Subsequent editions of the 2+2 dialogues between India and the United States were conducted in Washington DC and New Delhi in 2019 and 2020, strengthening the foundation of their strategic cooperation.
These 2+2 dialogues have yielded substantial outcomes for India’s strategic and security interests. India and the United States, in particular, have solidified their military cooperation by signing a trio of “foundational pacts.” The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) was the initial pact in 2016, followed by the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, and culminating with the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020.
These agreements have enhanced the cooperative mechanisms between the two nations, a development of utmost significance in the face of an increasingly assertive China that poses challenges to multiple countries within its proximity and beyond.
This aggressive posture has compelled nations to reevaluate established international norms and principles, making these dialogues more crucial than ever.