Top-level Talks: India and US Set to Discuss Global Security in Annual 2+2 Meeting

India and the US are set to hold their annual 2 2 meeting in New Delhi on November 9-10, according to government sources. The meeting will bring together US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss global and regional security issues. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe, are expected to be key topics of discussion. This will be the fifth edition of the 2 2 Ministerial Dialogue, aimed at strengthening strategic ties between the two countries.

The meeting is also significant due to the ongoing military standoff between India and China, which has now entered its fourth year. Both sides are expected to address the situation and explore possible solutions. Additionally, Defense Secretary Austin is anticipated to visit a key Indian military base during his trip, reciprocating an invitation extended to the Indian Defense Minister during his visit to the US. Alongside discussions on security and defense cooperation, the US is expected to push for increased military hardware cooperation, while India may request the sharing of high-end technology for developing indigenous weapon systems.

The two countries recently reached a USD 3 billion deal for the supply of 31 MQ-9B Predator drones to the Indian defense forces, and the US is also advocating for the sale of six additional P-8I surveillance planes. In recent times, the US has been showcasing its bomber aircraft, such as the B-1, to the Indian defense forces in various shows and exercises, highlighting the potential for collaboration and interoperability between the two nations. The 2 2 meeting will further strengthen the already robust strategic partnership between India and the US, cementing their shared commitment to regional and global security.