New Delhi: The stage is set for the Indo-US 2+2 Dialogue to be hosted by external affairs minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, with US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and defence secretary Jim Mattis representing the American side. The 2+2 Dialogue will begin shortly after 11 am on Thursday in New Delhi and will take place in two sessions lasting about an hour each.
The 2+2 Dialogue on Thursday will be preceded the same day by separate bilateral dialogues at the foreign and defence ministerial level before the four dignitaries together discuss various issues of regional and global importance. They will then together call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, symbolising the proximity and strength of Indo-US ties.
The issue of oil imports from Iran, the proposed S-400 missile deal with Russia, “stock-taking” on the proposed Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) pact that will enable sale of armed drones by the US to India, matters relating to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region vis-a-vis China as well as matters relating to India’s concerns on proposed immigration curbs in the US that affect Indian professionals working there are all expected to figure during the 2+2 dialogue.
While the proposed S-400 missile deal with Russia is officially not on the agenda, sources have not ruled out a discussion on it if the matter was raised by the American side. In the wake of sanctions by the US on Russian military exports, the US is concerned about the proposed Indo-Russian deal although it may consider giving India a one-time waiver. New Delhi is expected to cite its security requirements for the missile system and press for a US waiver to escape sanctions.
India is also expected to convey clearly to the US that it is an “energy import-reliant” country and that any alternatives to Iranian crude oil will first need to be considered for its pricing, as it could otherwise have an adverse impact on the Indian economy. In the wake of the US piling on pressure on countries across the world to stop importing oil from Iran altogether or face sanctions, India’s ties with Iran and its strategic implications on the Chabahar port project is also expected to be discussed.
Sources also said there will be “stock-taking” on the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), a proposed pact on encrypted American defence technologies. This is in the wake of raging speculation whether any announcement on inking of the pact will be made or not.
