Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, alongside their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, participated in the customary group photograph marking the commencement of the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Delhi. The annual diplomatic summit, initiated in 2018, features the Indian Minister of External Affairs and Defence Minister representing India, while the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defence represent the United States.
Antony Blinken, in a meeting with Jaishankar, praised the India-US partnership as the “strongest ever,” emphasizing the substantial engagement between the two nations. Blinken expressed admiration for India’s leadership in the G20 and highlighted the shared commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Jaishankar, in welcoming Blinken, emphasized the visit’s significance in following up on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June visit and President Biden’s September visit.
Acknowledging the importance of the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, Jaishankar underscored the need for a comprehensive perspective on bilateral activities. He specifically thanked the US for its support during the G20 Summit in September, attributing the summit’s success to the robust backing from the United States. The External Affairs Minister stressed the importance of addressing a broader spectrum of collaborative efforts in the bilateral partnership.
