2+2 Dialogue: US, India sign COMCASA agreement; discuss bilateral ties

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Foriegn Minister Sushma Swaraj are currently hosting the first day of 2+2 talks with their respective US counterparts Jim Mattis (US Defence Secretary)  and Mike Pompeo (US Secretaries of State).

The main objective of this series of meets is to boost co-operation in the Indo-Pacific region and to finalise a pact on encrypted defence technologies. General Joseph Dunford- Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff is also a part of the US delegation. The talks are being held a the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan in Delhi. Earlier twice the dialogue was postponed because Mike Pompeo had to travel to Pyongyang.

At the start of the much awaited 2+2 dialogue US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said India should hopefully talk about the purchase of the S-400 defence system from Russia. The major bone of contention in the 2+2 dialogues will be the S-400 air defence system that India wants to purchase from Russia. He also mentioned in the meeting that India is one of the most important defence partner for US.

As said by the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, both India and US delegates iterated the impressive strides in the bilateral relationship between the two countries and discussed steps to take the relationship a notch higher.

Mike Pompeo has termed the signing of the ‘Communications, Compatibility, Security Agreement (COMCASA)’ agreement a ‘milestone’ in the relationship, Nirmala Sitharaman asserted that the pact will enhance India’s defence capability and preparedness.

Nirmala Sitharaman also added, “India and US are committed to defend our shared democratic values. We have agreed to work together to ensure peace and prosperity of our nations and people, as well as in our regions.”

While addressing a joint press conference, Sushma Swaraj expressed her satisfaction over the agenda of the inaugural dialogue and gave of the meeting to the media present.

Mike Pompeo told media, “All countries in Asia and south-east Asia can benefit from a free and fair Indo-Pacific and that will be our priority,”

He also asserted that “We discussed Afghanistan and North Korea, and how we, together can work on these strategically important regions.” Mr Pompeo further added, “India and the US stand for freedom and democratic values… and we aim to extend this across the Indo-Pacific… we will work at different levels to ensure a free Indo-Pacific.”

Sushma Swaraj explained that emanating terror from India’s neighbouring country Pakistan was also a major point of discussion. And that both the parties present at the meeting have agreed a lot more needs to be done by Pakistan in order to curtail terror that is origination from its soil.

#WATCH: United States Secretary of Defence James N. Mattis, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman jointly call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/g4yF56aqtv

— ANI (@ANI) September 6, 2018

She also said that regional stability in South Asia, South-East Asia and Indo-Pacific is also one of the main points of discussion in this diplomatic meet.

H-1B visa issues were discussed. Sushma Swaraj has said that the H-1B visa directly impacts IT professionals and have requested the concerned US delegation to keep this point n high-priority in their ties.

Nirmala Sitharaman said that a tri-Services joint exercise with the United States off the eastern coast of India in 2019 will be carried out.

Also read: As India-US prepare for 2+2 dialogue; here’s the full agenda