Indo-US Military cooperation meeting begins as a prelude to 2+2 dialogue

New Delhi, August 2: A two-day Indo-US Military Cooperation Meeting began on Wednesday in New Delhi as a preparation to much anticipated 2 plus 2 Dialogue between the two countries which is scheduled next month.

 

The meeting was co-chaired by Lt Gen Satish Dua, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) and Lt Gen Bryan Fenton, Deputy Commander, Indo-Pacific Command.

In a tweet, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff said, “The 2-day 17th Indo-US Military Cooperation Meeting co-chaired by Lt Gen Satish Dua, CISC & Lt Gen Bryan Fenton, Dy Cdr, Indo Pacific Comd has begun today as a prelude to #2+2 Dialogue between the two countries scheduled next month.”

Notably, New Delhi will host the much-awaited 2+2 dialogue (two plus two dialogue) between India and the United States (US) on September 6 this year to strengthen bilateral ties. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will host the US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis in 2+2 dialogue.

Importantly, the much awaited 2+2 dialogue is seen as a vehicle to elevate the strategic relationship between the two countries. India and US were also working to have a joint drill of all the three armed forces of the two countries.