4th India- US ‘2+2’ Dialogue

• 14 Apr 2022

For Prelims: ‘2+2’ Dialogue, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA)

For Mains: Bilateral Groupings & Agreements, Indo-Pacific, India as net provider of security, India US relations

Why in News?

Recently, the fourth ‘2+2’ dialogue between India and the United States took place in Washington DC, US. India’s External Affairs and Defence Ministers meet with their American counterparts.

• This meeting was held on the sidelines of a virtual meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the US.

What are the Key Points of this Meeting?

• Space Situational Awareness Arrangement: India and the US have signed a bilateral space situational awareness arrangement.
  • This lays the groundwork for more advanced cooperation in space.
• Inaugural Defense Artificial Intelligence Dialogue: They also agreed to launch an inaugural Defense Artificial Intelligence Dialogue, while expanding joint cyber training and exercises.
• Military Supply Chain Cooperation: The US asserted that it supports India as a defence industry leader in the Indo-Pacific and a net provider of security in the region.
  • In this context, new supply chain cooperation measures were launched that will let both countries more swiftly support each other’s priority defence requirements.
• Observing Crisis in Ukraine: They agreed to maintain close consultations on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, including on humanitarian assistance efforts, and echoed support for an independent investigation into the brutal violence deployed against civilians.

What is the Status of India’s 2+2 Dialogue with the US?

• The US is India’s oldest and most important 2+2 talks partner.
• The first 2+2 dialogue between the two countries was held during the Trump Administration in 2018.
• India and the US have signed a troika of “foundational pacts” for deep military cooperation:
  • Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016,
  • Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) after the first 2+2 dialogue in 2018,
  • Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020.
• The strengthening of the mechanisms of cooperation between the two militaries are of significance in the context of an increasingly aggressive China.

What is the 2+2 Dialogue?

• 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries.
• It is a format of dialogue where the defence/foreign ministers or secretaries meet with their counterparts from another country.
• India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia.
  • Besides Russia, the other three countries are also India’s partners in the Quad.

Source: IE