India-US 2+2 Dialogue To Focus On Regional Issues, Multilateral Frameworks Like QUAD

India and the US are set to conduct a thorough evaluation of their rapidly growing strategic relationship during the upcoming '2+2' foreign and defence ministerial dialogue, scheduled for Friday (10 November).

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin are currently in India for the dialogue, where they will be meeting with their Indian counterparts, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

The External Affairs Ministry (MEA) announced that Singh and Jaishankar will host the fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi on 10 November.

Blinken and Austin will be welcomed for the dialogue.

The '2+2' dialogue aims to facilitate a comprehensive assessment of advancements in defence and security cooperation, collaborations in the technology value chain, and people-to-people connections.

According to a statement from the MEA, the ministers will use this opportunity to advance the futuristic roadmap for the India-US partnership, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden during their discussions in June and September this year.

The statement also mentioned that both sides will assess current regional issues and share perspectives on common priorities for enhancing cooperation in multilateral platforms, as well as through frameworks like the QUAD.

Singh and Jaishankar are set to hold bilateral meetings with their American counterparts to continue the ministerial dialogue and reinforce the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership, according to the MEA.