India, US Officials to Meet for Laying Groundwork for ‘2+2’ Dialogue with China on Agenda

New Delhi: In the wake of the US decision on sanctions on countries buying Iranian petroleum— India has been one— a MINI INFORMAL 2+2 meeting between Indian and US officials is taking place tomorrow. Senior US officials— Alice Wells of the State Department and Randall Schriver of the Defense Department— will be meeting their Indian counterparts on Wednesday.

The issues include planning for the next US-India two plus two dialogue, to be held in the USA. The Indian External Affairs and Defence Ministers and the US Secretary of State and Defense Secretary will take part. The meeting tomorrow will aim to set a rough date and work towards an agenda.

Iran apart, the Indo-Pacific, a euphemism for China, will come up in the discussions. This will relate to reviewing ties with ASEAN countries and Japan and their situation vis-à-vis China. The US officials are also likely to bring up the possibility of weapons transfers to India, particularly fighter aircraft.

The first high level two plus two meeting was held last year in Delhi. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and General (Retd) Jim Mattis, then defense secty,represented the US. external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has represented India. A major foundational agreement, bringing the two countries closer—the COMCASA— has been signed.

Source: TNN

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