2+2 dialogue News

Blinken and Austin will meet with their Indian counterparts, S Jaishankar and Rajnath Singh, who are the ministers of external affairs and defence, respectively, as well as other senior officials.

PM Narendra Modi and Russian Vladimir President Putin held the 21st annual summit on Monday They discussed the evolving situation in Afghanistan, especially the security situation and its implications in the region Both the leader also condemned the cross-border movement of terrorists

In a joint attack on terrorism emanating from Pakistan, India and the US called on Pakistan to act on terrorism and not allow its territory to be used for terrorist attacks. The joint statement issued by both sides after the 2+2 meet in the national capital. India and the US asked Pakistan to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators and planners of all such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai, Uri, and Pathankot".

India and the US inked a defence pact that will allow sharing of high-end military technology, classified satellite data and critical information between the two countries. Both the nations signed a total of five agreements including BECA. The signing of BECA between the two strategic partners also signals further boosting of bilateral defence and military ties.

India and Japan will hold the inaugural meeting of India-Japan Foreign and Defence Ministerial Dialogue (2+2) here on Saturday and the two sides are expected to discuss on boosting defence and security, amongst other issues of mutual interest.

"They are (missile system purchase from Russia and oil from Iran) part of the conversation. 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.

There's been a substantial increase in denial of H-1B visa petitions of Indians by the US Immigration authority as compared to people of other nationalities.

The Trump Administration has termed the upcoming two-plus-two dialogue in New Delhi next week "a major opportunity" to enhance the US' engagement with India on critical diplomatic and security priorities. 

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Jim Mattis are travelling to India next week for the 2+2 dialogue being hosted by their Indian counterparts Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman. 

The maiden two-plus-two dialogue between India and the United States scheduled in New Delhi next week is an indication of the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries, the Trump administration has said.

The structured talks will aim at developing and strengthening strategic defence cooperation between the two countries.