India-USA 2+2 Dialogue 2020 | 28 Oct 2020

Why in News

Recently, India and the USA have concluded the 3rd India-USA 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi.

Key Points

  • India has signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) with the USA.
    • BECA will enable the exchange of geospatial data and information between the two countries and will improve the accuracy of India’s missiles in precision strikes.
    • The geospatial maps and charts to be shared, will be acquired from multiple sources like satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reconnaissance aircraft, aerostats among others.
    • As part of measures to enhance military to military cooperation, Liaison Officers at each other's establishments could be leveraged to enhance information sharing.
    • BECA is one of the four foundational military communication agreements between the two countries. The other three are:
      • General Security Of Military Information Agreement.
      • Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement.
      • Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement.
  • Both countries released a Joint Statement on shared Indo-USA goals in the Asia-Pacific region and emphasised that the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea should not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of any nation in accordance with international law.
    • They also decided to expand joint capacity building activities with partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Other Steps Taken:
    • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Technical Cooperation in Earth Observations and Earth Sciences.
    • Agreement to extend the duration of the MoU on the Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership.
    • Agreement on the electronic exchange of customs data.
    • Letter of intent regarding cooperation in traditional Indian medicines.
    • Discussions on the status of Afghanistan and support for its peace process.

‘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 holds such talks with Australia, Japan and the USA.

Way Forward

  • The signing of BECA is a significant achievement for India as it is a sign of the USA accepting the Indian request for cooperation in the advanced field of maritime domain awareness.
  • India-USA’s national security convergences have grown closer in a more multipolar world and the meetings as well as the agreements not only advance their individual interests but also ensure that the bilateral cooperation between them makes a positive contribution in the world arena.

Source: TH