Current Affairs Date: 18 April 2024

⇒ The 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue 2023 was held on November 09 – 10, 2023 in New Delhi.

• • The inaugural India-US 2+2 Ministerial dialogue was held in New Delhi in 2018.

Co-chaired:

Secretary Austin and US Secretary of State Mr Antony Blinken co-chaired the Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar on November 10.

Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S Jaishankar met Secretary of State Mr Antony J Blinken and Secretary of Defense Mr Lloyd J Austin III for the fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi.

» A number of strategic, defence and technology issues were discussed during the 2+2 dialogue and the bilateral meeting. The India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue focused on the Indo-Pacific, critical minerals and global challenges.

• • India and the U.S. held extensive deliberations to further expand their global strategic partnership through greater defence industrial ties, enhancing engagement in the Indo-Pacific and boosting cooperation in key areas such as critical minerals and high-technology.

Highlights of the Joint Statement:

Strengthening the Major Defence Partnership

• • The Ministers accordingly appreciated the commencement of negotiations for a commercial agreement between General Electric (GE) Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India.
  • Both sides recommitted to spurring investment in India’s growing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector, which encompasses aircraft maintenance and mid-voyage repair of US naval vessels. They welcomed commitments from the US industry to further increase India’s MRO capabilities, including for the repair of aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
  • Both sides look forward to further discussions about export control and technology transfers in the Strategic Trade Dialogue and its affiliated working groups.
  • The Ministers looked forward to the finalisation of a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA), a key priority in the Roadmap, which will further integrate the defence industrial ecosystems of both countries while strengthening supply chain resilience.
  • The Ministers commended the breadth of partnerships under the India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) since the initiative was launched in June 2023. The Ministers further welcomed the launch of the INDUS-X Gurukul Education series to enable startups to leverage opportunities in the defence ecosystems of India and the United States.
  • The Ministers also took note of the recent launch of the INDUS-X joint challenges initiative, which will unleash the talent and innovative drive of commercial sectors in both countries to strengthen the respective defence industry ecosystems.
  • The Ministers welcomed India’s full membership of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), headquartered in Bahrain.
  • The Ministers also welcomed further discussions to maximize the shared benefits of the Logistics and Exchange Memorandum Agreement (LEMOA) and identify reciprocal steps both countries can take to enhance the reach of their respective militaries.

Bolstering Counter-terrorism and Law Enforcement Cooperation

• • Both countries reiterated their commitment to work together in Financial Action Task Force and other multilateral platforms.
  • The Ministers decided to convene the 20th Meeting of the India-US Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and the 5th Designations Dialogue at a mutually convenient date early next year.
  • Both sides are looking forward to the next edition of the Homeland Security Dialogue in 2024, where leaders will advance security cooperation, through capacity building and other activities.

Building Science and Technology Partnerships

• • The Ministers welcomed the rapid progress made under the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to build science and technology and critical technology value chain collaborations in both the commercial and defence sectors.
  • They called on the respective governments, academic, research, and corporate sectors to continue to proactively build these strategic partnerships in emerging technologies like quantum, telecom, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors to accelerate global innovation and benefit the economies of both countries.
  • They welcomed the early meeting of the Strategic Trade Dialogue Monitoring Mechanism.

Expanding Health and Trade Dialogues

• • The Ministers praised the recent fifth India-US Health Dialogue, which was held on October 11-13, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
  • The two sides identified several areas for future cooperation, including multilateral cooperation, pandemic preparedness and response, health safety and security, universal health coverage, access, equity, and communicable and non-communicable diseases for future cooperation.
  • The Ministers applauded the growing trade and commercial partnership and noted that in 2023, bilateral trade has the potential to cross US$ 200 billion despite a challenging global trade environment.
  • They appreciated the reinvigorated work of the India-US Trade Policy Forum and the use of that mechanism to resolve long-standing trade concerns during 2023 and announcement of “Innovation Handshake” under the Commercial Dialogue to enhance their dynamic start-up ecosystems as well as promote innovation and post-pandemic economic recovery and job growth, particularly in critical and emerging technologies (CET).

Strengthening People-to-People Ties

The Ministers welcomed the opening of a new Indian Consulate in Seattle and appreciated that the United States has initiated discussions with the Government of India on opening new consulates in the cities of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.

Afghanistan

• • The Ministers urged the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups; and uphold freedom of travel.
  • They also emphasized unhindered access to deliver humanitarian assistance and recommitted to having consultations on Afghanistan to help facilitate an inclusive and peaceful future for all Afghans.

Multilateral Diplomacy and Connectivity

• • The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of a free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific and renewed their shared desire to consolidate their dialogue and collaboration through the Quad.
  • The Ministers appreciated the ongoing efforts of the I2U2 countries to enhance food and energy security and improve the movement of people and goods across hemispheres. The Ministers also noted that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will enhance connectivity between Asia and Europe and will unlock new potential for economic growth in the two continents.
  • Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin lauded India’s G20 Presidency for addressing contemporary global economic issues, inclusion of the African Union as a member, and prioritizing development challenges.
  • The United States reaffirmed its continued support for India’s permanent membership in a reformed UNSC and again extended welcome to India’s candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29.

» U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defence, Mr. Lloyd Austin, called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 10 November.

Discussion:

• • The two Secretaries briefed PM on their discussions with Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh, and External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, in the 2+2 format.
  • They highlighted progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation, including defence, semiconductors, emerging technology, space, health, in follow-up to PM’s State Visit to the US in June 2023.
  • They also highlighted the meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
  • They also exchanged views on various regional and global issues of mutual interest, including the ongoing developments in West Asia. They emphasized on the need for continued close coordination between India and the U.S. on these issues.

» The next 2+2 ministerial dialogue will be hosted by the United States.