‘2+2’ Ministerial Talks Between Jaishankar And Blinken Strengthen India-US Strategic Ties
As a crucial preamble to the sixth round of the India-US ‘2+2’ ministerial dialogue, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had discussions on the current violence between Hamas and Israel. As to PTI, the meeting’s objective was to enhance the strategic alliance between the US and India by addressing important regional challenges.
Jaishankar used ‘X’ to tweet that the talks with his US colleague were “open and productive,” providing insight into the areas of attention, which include the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.
Notably, Blinken accompanied US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Delhi for the next “2+2” meeting. Blinken is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts connected to the Israel-Hamas battle.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin headed the American delegation to the 2+2 ministerial talks, while the Indian side was led by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
In his introductory comments, Jaishankar stressed the chance to further the vision that US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have in common, with the goal of building a forward-looking alliance and forming a joint global agenda. He said, “Our dialogue today will be an opportunity to advance the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden to build a forward-looking partnership and construct a shared global agenda.”
Echoing the same sentiments, Blinken emphasized the importance of the US-India alliance within the Quad framework and the shared goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific. In particular, he emphasized the need of maintaining a rules-based system and safeguarding the concepts of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. He emphasized the commitment to strengthening cooperation in international peace and security.
With a focus on the increasing strategic alignment and strengthened military collaboration between the US and India, Rajnath Singh said, “Defence cooperation remains one of the most important pillars of our bilateral relationship.” He conveyed his desire to work closely with the US in a number of capability-building areas.
In light of global issues, US Defense Secretary Austin emphasized how important it is for the two biggest democracies in the world to share their perspectives. He said, “In the face of urgent global challenges, it is more important than ever that the world’s two largest democracies exchange views, find common goals and deliver for our people.” Austin also voiced hope for a more secure world via cooperative efforts, citing the close relations between the two countries.
Notably, the talks explored cooperation in novel areas such key technologies, civil space cooperation, and essential minerals, demonstrating the dedication to furthering common goals and creating a resilient Indo-Pacific area.
