2+2 meet: India, US ink critical defence pact

NEW DELHI: SEVERAL KEY ISSUES LIKE CROSS BORDER TERRORISM, INDIA’S NSG BID AND THE CONTENTIOUS H1B VISA ISSUE WERE DISCUSSED

A long-negotiated defence pact under which critical and encrypted defence technologies will be provided to the Indian military by the United States was inked here on Thursday, after India and the US held their first 2+2 dialogue. Several key issues, including crossborder terrorism, India’s nuclear suppliers group (NSG) bid and the contentious H1B visa issue, were discussed.

During the talks external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman had with US secretary of state Michael R Pompeo and defence secretary James Mattis, the two countries also decided to set up hotlines between them.

Addressing a joint press conference, Swaraj expressed satisfaction over the agenda of the inaugural dialogue.

While Pompeo termed the Communications, Compatibility, Security Agreement (COMCASA) agreement a “milestone” in the relationship, Sitharaman asserted that the pact would enhance India’s defence capability and preparedness.

The COMCASA would facilitate India to obtain critical defence technologies from the US, and access critical communication network to ensure interoperability between the US and the Indian armed forces. It would also allow the installation of high-security US communication equipment on defence platforms being sourced from the country.

Swaraj asserted that the dialogue reflected the desire of the leadership of the two countries to further elevate the bilateral strategic communication on cross-cutting defence and security issues.

“The recent decision by the US to put India in the list of countries eligible for Strategic Trade Authorization Tier-I License Exemption reflects India’s robust and responsible export control policies. In our meeting today, we also agreed to work together to secure India’s membership of the nuclear suppliers group at the earliest,” she said.