December 18, 2019
This 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism that reviews security, defence, and strategic partnership
The two sides appraised the strengthening partnership and noted the milestones achieved since the inaugural 2+2 dialogue
Priority initiatives have been identified for execution under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) programme
During the critical meeting, the two sides agreed to move forward in their engagement in the area of defence innovation
Indian Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met their United States counterparts, Secretary of Defense Mark T Esper and Secretary of State Michael R Pompeo, in Washington DC on December 18, 2019, for the second annual India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. This 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries that reviews the security, defence and strategic partnership between India and the US. At the key dialogue, the two sides appraised the strengthening partnership between India and the US and noted the important milestones achieved since the inaugural 2+2 dialogue in New Delhi in 2018. Both sides reiterated their commitment to advancing a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
On the occasion, the two sides committed to further deepen military-to-military cooperation, including between the Indian Navy and the US Navy Fleets under US Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command, and Africa Command and intend to expand similar cooperation between their respective Armies and Air Forces. A number of other initiatives to enhance military-to-military cooperation were also agreed upon. The two sides concluded the Industrial Security Annex during the visit. Priority initiatives have been identified for execution under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) programme. The two sides also concluded a standard operating procedure for this process. These measures are expected to provide momentum to collaboration between the private defence industries of both India and the US.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed to move forward in their engagement in the area of defence innovation. Earlier that day, Minister Singh was received at the Pentagon by Secretary Esper, with a ceremonial Guard of Honour and accorded a 19-gun salute. They later held delegation-level bilateral talks at the Pentagon on further strengthening India-US defence partnership. Meanwhile, the External Affairs Minister held bilateral talks with his counterpart Secretary Pompeo. After the 2+2 meeting, Minister Singh and Minister Jaishankar called on the President of the United States, Donald J Trump, at the Oval Office. They were accompanied by US National Security Adviser Ambassador Robert O’Brian. The previous day, Minister Singh had addressed a large Indian community reception in New York.