5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue notes substantial progress in transforming bilateral relations across domains
India and the United States have reaffirmed their resolve to promote a resilient, rules-based international order. Meeting in New Delhi for the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue on Friday (November 10, 2023), the two sides also highlighted the importance of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in ensuring international peace and security.
 
India was represented at the meeting by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar; the US side was represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
 
According to the Joint Statement issued after the talks, “As natural and trusted partners with a shared commitment to advance democracy, human rights, and pluralism, and growing convergence of strategic interests, India and the United States reaffirmed their resolve to promote a resilient, rules-based international order with respect for international law, including the UN Charter, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to ensure peace and prosperity for all.
 
The ministers also noted the substantial progress in transforming India-U.S. relations across domains, based on trust and mutual understanding.
 
“Building upon the June 2023 and September 2023 visits of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Joseph Biden, the Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the India-U.S. Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership in ensuring international peace and security. The Ministers also underlined their strong commitment to safeguarding a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific through mechanisms like the Quad,” the Joint Statement said.
 
In a post on social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar said the agenda covered advancing the India-US strategic partnership, including elevating defence ties, moving forward in space & technology, future logistics cooperation and people-to-people contacts. 
 
Describing the meeting as "substantive", he said the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Meeting followed up on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US this June. 
 
During the meeting, the two sides also exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, South Asia, West Asia and Ukraine conflict, EAM Jaishankar said. "Reaffirmed our commitment to our collaboration in multilateral arena and engaging the Global South," he said in his post on X.
 
Defence Minister Singh said the India- US partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region.
 
"Attended the India-US 2 Plus 2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi today. We had an engaging, enriching and fruitful discussion. India- US partnership is critical for ensuring a free, open and rules-bound Indo-Pacific region," Singh said in a post on X.
 
Earlier in the day, EAM Jaishankar had a bilateral meeting with Secretary of State Blinken and discussed ways to further develop the India-US strategic partnership. They also exchanged views about West Asia, Indo-Pacific and other regional issues.
 
"Pleased to meet with Secretary of State @SecBlinken this morning. An open and productive conversation on further developing our strategic partnership. Also spoke about West Asia, Indo-Pacific and other regional issues," EAM Jaishankar wrote on X.