News in Brief

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External affairs Minister dr S. Jaishankar met US Secretary of defense dr 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 and provides for a review of the security, defence and strategic partnership between India and the United States. This was the second 2+2 meeting and the first in US. Salient points were:

● Both sides positively appraised the growing partnership between India and the US and noted that important milestones had been achieved.

● Both sides reiterated their commitment to advancing a free, open, inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

● Both sides also committed to further deepen military-to-military cooperation, including between the IN and the US Navy. Also intend to expand similar cooperation between their respective armies and air Forces.

● Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) programme. Industrial Security Annex was concluded and priority initiatives have been identified for execution under the DTTI programme. The two sides also agreed to move forward in their engagement in the area of defence innovation.

Earlier, on the morning of december 18, defence Minister was received at the Pentagon by US Secretary of defence dr Mark T. esper, with a ceremonial Guard of honour and accorded a 19-gun salute. after the 2+2 meeting, Rajnath Singh, along with dr S. Jaishankar, called on President at the Oval Office.