The 2 + 2 India-US dialogue is expected to The two sides’ foreign and defense ministers will meet in New Delhi from October 26-27 to boost strategic cooperation and security ties, people familiar with the events said on Thursday.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper are expected to travel to India for the meeting with their counterparts S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh, the people quoted above said on condition of anonymity. This will also be the second meeting between Jaishankar and Pompeo in the space of about 20 days as they met in Tokyo on October 6.
The decision to hold in-person meetings at a time when such discussions have mostly moved online due to the Covid-19 pandemic reflects the importance both sides attach to 2 + 2 dialogue, the people said. As with the Jaishankar-Pompeo meeting and the Quad ministerial meeting in Tokyo this week, the 2 + 2 dialogue is also expected to focus on China’s actions in the region and the Indo-Pacific.
Trade and investment are also expected to feature in upcoming discussions, though major breakthroughs or deals are unlikely as the United States heads to the November 3 presidential election, the people said.
Differences in trade and investment, including on issues such as market access and data laws, remain one of the few irritating factors in the relationship between India and the US, while cooperation in areas As the fight against terrorism, defense and security has increased in scope in recent years. years.
The two sides were unable to reach even a mini trade deal despite lengthy negotiations ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to India in February.
During the last 2 + 2 dialogue between India and the US held in Washington in December last year, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to work for a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific and agreed to deepen cooperation regional and global. threats, fight against terrorism and promotion of a transparent and sustainable infrastructure.
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