US President Joe Biden meets virtually with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the South Court Auditorium on the White House campus in Washington.
Highlights
- Both sides ask Pakistan to take immediate action against terrorism
- New Delhi's concerns were also addressed on Afghanistan, Taliban
- Ministers agreed to increase depth and scope of military engagements
The fourth India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue, the first under the US President Joe Biden administration, was held in Washington on Monday. The discussions encouraged the two countries to think together on long-term challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific. It has energized the collaborative endeavours to build what is emerging as a key bilateral relationship between India and the United States.
India, US ask Pakistan to take immediate, sustained and irreversible action against terrorism
India and the US have asked Pakistan to take "immediate, sustained, and irreversible action" to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks and called for the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attack and Pathankot attack to be brought to justice. The demand for action by Pakistan was made through a joint statement issued after the 2+2 Ministerial attended by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. “The Ministers called on Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks,” said the joint statement.
Clear reference to China and its activities in Indo-Pacific region
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific in which the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states are respected, and countries are free from military, economic, and political coercion. They further reaffirmed their dedication to promoting regional stability and prosperity, with an inclusive regional architecture, abiding by the rule of law, the freedom of navigation and overflight, peaceful resolution of disputes, and ASEAN centrality. They also reiterated the importance of adherence to international law to meet challenges to the rules-based order, including in the South China Sea.
New Delhi's concerns addressed on Afghanistan, Taliban
The Ministers called on the Taliban to abide by UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021), which demands that Afghan territory must never again be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks.
Countering use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes
This was a clear reference to China's state-backed hacking activities to target adversaries. In fact, recently, a new report by the threat intelligence firm Recorded Future claimed that the state-sponsored Chinese hackers targeted the power sector in India in recent months as part of an apparent cyber-espionage campaign. Considering growing national security threats from both state and non-state malicious cyber actors, the Ministers recognized the importance of an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable Internet and stable cyberspace. Both sides reaffirmed the 2021 reports of the UN Open Ended Working Group and the UN Group of Governmental Experts, which articulate a framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace and committed to work together in future multilateral negotiations to encourage States to implement the framework. They confirmed their intent to work closely as part of ongoing efforts to counter the use of information communications technologies for criminal purposes.
Both sides agree to increase depth and scope of military engagements
As information-sharing forms an important pillar of the India-U.S. defense cooperation, the Ministers underlined the importance of building a comprehensive framework under which our militaries are equipped to exchange information in real time across domains. The Ministers welcomed progress made toward full implementation of the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) to support the exchange of geospatial information. The Ministers noted that information exchange and placement of liaison officers in each other’s military organizations will spur joint service cooperation between our militaries to support integrated and multi-domain cooperation. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of regular bilateral and multilateral exercises, including the MALABAR exercise with inclusion of Australia, the tri-service TIGER TRIUMPH exercise, the multilateral MILAN naval exercise, the bilateral YUDH ABHYAS and VAJRA PRAHAR Army exercises, the bilateral COPE India air exercise, and Indian participation in RED FLAG. Recognizing the importance of building robust private industry collaboration, the Ministers welcomed ongoing projects under the auspices of the India-U.S. Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), including a project agreement to co-develop Air-Launched UAVs.
India, US signed bilateral space situational awareness arrangement
India and the US signed a bilateral space situational awareness arrangement, adding a new dimension to the growing defence relationship between the two countries. The agreement was signed by officials of the two countries on the sidelines of the India-US 2+2 ministerial here co-hosted by Austin along with the Secretary of State Tony Blinken. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "I'm pleased to announce that just a few moments ago, we signed a bilateral space situational awareness arrangement, and this will support greater information sharing and cooperation in space,” Austin told reporters at the conclusion of the 2+2 ministerial.
Strategic partnership between the two countries
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that strategic partnerships like the one between India and the US are built through shared interests, common values and constant nurturing, underlining that in a changing world Indo-US ties have not only kept pace but actually emerged as a major contributor to global peace. Jaishankar said this on Monday during a joint press conference along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and their American counterparts Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. “Strategic partnerships like those between India and the United States are built through shared interests, common values, and constant nurturing. It is natural that each of us will bring to the relationship our particular perspectives, experiences and priorities,” Jaishankar said.
Make in India
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged American companies to come and invest in India and support the 'Make in India' programme. "I have insisted that India would focus on co-developmental productions and all the investors should come to India. They are welcome. And because in India they can develop the 'Make in India' because we want to build and make everything in India."
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