The fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held on 10th November 2023 in New Delhi where the Indian side was led by Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar while the US team was led by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
A joint statement informed that during the meeting, the ministers discussed developments in the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Ukraine among other regions.
The countries “expressed mutual deep concern over the war in Ukraine and its tragic humanitarian consequences” while underscoring the growing impacts of this war on the global economic system and food security, with consequences predominantly affecting the global South.
On Israel, India and US called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including with regard to the protection of civilians while also called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. The ministers supported the humanitarian pauses declared by Israel and committed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution and durable peace, the statement added.
India and US reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the defense partnership through wide-ranging dialogues and military exercises of increasing complexity and sophistication, accelerated joint projects initiated under the June 2023 Roadmap for U.S.-India Defense Industrial Cooperation and expanded collaboration in emerging domains, such as space and artificial intelligence.
The Joint statement also said that during the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the ministers ‘unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism, and the use of terrorist proxies and logistical, financial or military support to terrorist organizations, which could be used to launch or plan terrorist attacks, including international attacks.” Both countries reiterated their condemnation of the 26/11 Mumbai attack and the Pathankot attack and called for bringing the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.
The ministers also welcomed the rapid progress made under the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) to build science and technology and critical technology value chain collaborations in both the commercial and defense sectors and look forward to the second iteration of iCET in New Delhi in early 2024.
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In the health sector, 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.
It was informed that the United States has initiated discussions with the Government of India on opening new consulates in the cities of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad to strengthen people-to-people ties between the partner countries. The ministers also appreciated the U.S. Department of State’s launch of a pilot program in 2023 to adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work visas, including for Indian nationals.
Further, 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. They emphasized the important role of the Quad as a force for global good for the peoples of the Indo-Pacific.
The United States also 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, the statement said.
The sixth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue will be held in the United Stated in 2024.
