The stage is all set for the fifth edition of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi, scheduled for November 10, 2023. This high-profile event will bring together India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, and the Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, to engage in discussions with their American counterparts, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III.
In addition to the ministerial dialogue, both sides are gearing up for bilateral meetings with their respective ministers, with a primary emphasis on reinforcing the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Ministry of External Affairs Announces the Dialogue
The Ministry of External Affairs has made an official announcement that this dialogue will provide a platform for a high-level review of progress made in various domains, encompassing defence and security cooperation, technology value chain collaborations, and people-to-people connections. This occasion will also present an opportunity to advance the forward-looking roadmap for the India-US partnership, as previously proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joseph Biden during their discussions in June and on the sidelines of the G-20 Leaders’ Summit in September.
Within the context of the 2+2 meeting, both nations will also conduct an evaluation of contemporary regional issues and exchange views on shared priorities for strengthening cooperation in multilateral platforms, notably the Quad.
It was reported earlier that the US Department of State announced Blinken’s forthcoming visit to five nations, including Israel, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, and India. While in New Delhi, Blinken is expected to reiterate American support for Israel and advocate for humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip. At present, Blinken is participating in the second G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of 2023 in Japan, where the focus of this gathering is to build upon the commitments made by leaders at the G7 Hiroshima Summit. He also held discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko to address bilateral priorities.
Furthermore, in a recent development, the G7 made a call to Iran, urging the nation to refrain from supporting Hamas and Hezbollah while avoiding actions that destabilize the Middle East. This includes support for Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors, with the expectation that Iran will use its influence to de-escalate regional tensions.
2+2Dialogue
Regarding the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, it is anticipated that the US will seek deeper cooperation in military hardware, while India will prioritize the acquisition of high-end technology to enhance its military platforms and weapons systems. Accompanying Blinken and Austin during the ministerial dialogue will be US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu. Following the dialogue, they will have an audience with Prime Minister Modi.
Global dynamics are evolving, with discussions among the US, India, and other world powers focused on ensuring a free, open, and thriving Indo-Pacific region, especially in response to China’s increasing military activities in the resource-rich region. China’s claims over the disputed South China Sea, alongside territorial disputes with neighbouring countries, add to the complexities in the region.
This dialogue also takes place against the backdrop of two significant international conflicts: Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine. While these conflicts may not have a direct impact on the India-US relationship, they do influence the strategic dynamics and global perspectives of both nations, according to experts.