India, US will hold first 2-by-2 dialogue in April
Reportedly, India and the US are expected to hold the first edition of long-awaited simultaneous meetings of their defense and external affairs ministers, called 2-by-2 dialogue in April at Washington DC. Though they haven't decided on the agenda, the meeting will probably focus on peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region, especially considering the China threat in the area. Here's all about it.
Was such a dialogue already in the pipeline?
This dialogue has been in the pipeline for quite some time. In September'17, Secretary of defense James Mattis had met defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Similarly, in October'17, Secretary of state Rex Tillerson had met his counterpart external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. These meetings were along the 2-by-2 lines. However, the real dialogue will be when all the four leaders meet together with their delegates.
What are the leaders expected to discuss?
A phone call between PM Modi and President Donald Trump on India's 70th independence day celebrations led to the 2-by-2 meeting announcement. It is expected to increase "strategic consultations" between the two countries. For defense, Sitharaman might discuss increasing joint exercises and defense trade, including co-development and co-production of defense equipment. On foreign policy, apart from China, discussions will probably include Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Why is this 2-by-2 dialogue significant?
Interestingly, this 2-by-2 ministerial dialogue replaces the India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue. Now, commercial issues will be discussed separately. These dialogues are considered more significant as strategic and defense interests reinforce each other. However, balancing commercial and strategic issues might get difficult. US already has this format of consultation with Australia, Japan and the Philippines, while India only has it with Japan.
