The recent event of the fourth ‘2+2’ dialogue between India and the United States in Washington DC made headlines in international diplomacy circuits. The meeting, which involved India’s External Affairs and Defence Ministers engaging with their American counterparts, was held in line with a virtual discussion between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the United States.
Key Points Discussed During the Meeting
Various key issues were addressed during this meeting.
A crucial highlight for both nations was the signing of a bilateral space situational awareness arrangement, paving the way for more advanced cooperation in space. This development is expected to provide a structure for collaborating on potential opportunities and challenges in outer space activities.
Further, the two sides also agreed upon launching an inaugural Defense Artificial Intelligence Dialogue. The objective is to promote innovation and mutually beneficial collaboration in defence-related artificial intelligence. Also, the countries decided to expand joint cyber training and exercises, indicating a collective effort to fortify cybersecurity measures.
Emphasis on Military Supply Chain Cooperation
The United States came forward to support India as a defence industry leader in the Indo-Pacific region and acknowledged India’s role as a net provider of security in the region. As part of the deliberations, new supply chain cooperation measures have been launched. These initiatives are designed to enable both countries to swiftly support each other’s high-priority defence requirements.
Joint Stance on Ukraine Crisis
Another consensus reached during the meeting revolved around the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Both nations agreed to maintain a close consultation on humanitarian assistance efforts, extending support for an independent investigation into deployed violence against civilians.
The Journey of India’s 2+2 Dialogue with the US so far
The United States has been India’s most important 2+2 talks partner over several years. The inception of the 2+2 dialogue between the two countries occurred during the Trump Administration in 2018. These dialogues have resulted in signing three pivotal “foundational pacts” for deep military cooperation between both nations: Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in 2018, and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020. Strengthening these cooperation mechanisms has been crucial in the scenario of an increasingly assertive China.
Understanding the 2+2 Dialogue
The 2+2 Ministerial dialogue is the apex-level institutional mechanism between the two nations. This format of dialogue brings together the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries from participating countries. Currently, India maintains such 2+2 communication channels with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia. Except for Russia, the other three are also India’s partners in the Quad, a diplomatic coalition aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
