The fifth India-US 2 plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue has concluded successfully in New Delhi on Friday. Both the countries deliberated on wide range of issues including defence and security ties, space, technology, logistics cooperation and people-to-people contacts. Leaders of two nations also exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific, South Asia, West Asia and Ukraine conflict by reaffirming their commitment to enhance collaboration in multilateral arena and engaging the Global South. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar co-chaired the 22 Ministerial Dialogue with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Briefing the media after the meeting, External Affairs Secretary Vinay Kwatra said, India and US undertook a comprehensive review of the bilateral relations. He said, leaders of both the countries discussed multiple partnerships in area of trade and investment, technology, critical and emerging technologies, value and supply chain, space, mineral securities, and terrorism. He said, both the nations also deliberated on the regional developments and common challenges.
Briefing the media, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said, both the countries have a very thriving defence ties and co-development is the focus area in the last few years.
Earlier, in his opening remark at the Ministerial Dialogue, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh said, the India-US bilateral relationship has seen a growing convergence of strategic interests and enhanced defence, security and intelligence cooperation. He said, defence remains one of the most important pillars of bilateral relationship. He said, in spite of various emerging geopolitical challenges, both the countries need to keep focus on important and long-term issues and partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.
