In foreign policy, ‘2+2’ is
the term used for installation of a communication or a dialogue mechanism
between two countries while involving the two ministries- The Ministry of
Defence and Ministry of External Affairs.
Therefore, 2 plus 2 is an
expression used to indicate that two appointed ministers from each country, the
minister of defence and external affair will meet and discuss the ‘Strategic
and Security Issues’.
The purpose is to establish a
diplomatic conversation between two countries’ respective heads of defence and
external affairs.
Japan is known to draw from
the format 2+2 dialogue has to offer for years now. India and Japan too have a
similar mechanism between them since 2010. Japan leans on this mechanism
for developing strategic interactions with the U.S, France, Russia and
Australia. On the other hand, India has established the 2+2 dialogue primarily
with Japan and now with US.
What is the outline of the
recent India-US initiative Relations and 2plus2?
India and U.S have
established new 2+2 ministerial dialogue to enhance strategic coordination
between them and maintaining peace and stability in the into-pacific region.
The two sides further decided
to establish secure communication between the Minister of External Affairs of
India and the U.S. Secretary of State, and between the Minister of Defence of
India and the U.S. Secretary of Defense, to help maintain regular high-level
communication on emerging developments.
Strengthening the Defense and Security Partnership
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The Ministers welcomed the inclusion of India by the United States
among the top tier of countries entitled to license-free exports, re-exports,
and transfers under License
Exception Strategic Trade Authorization (STA-1) and committed
to explore other means to support further expansion in two-way trade in defense
manufacturing supply chain linkages.
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They welcomed the signing of a Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement
(COMCASA), facilitate access to advanced defense systems and
enable India to optimally utilize its existing U.S. origin platforms.
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The Ministers announced their readiness to begin negotiations on
an Industrial Security
Annex (ISA) that would support closer defense industry
cooperation and collaboration.
§
After recognizing the recent bilateral engagements, the Ministers
committed to start exchanges between the S.
Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and the Indian Navy,
underscoring the importance of deepening their maritime cooperation in the
western Indian Ocean.
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Through the Defense
Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), the ministers committed
to prioritize co-production and co-development projects to pursue other avenues
of defense innovation cooperation. Further they welcomed the conclusion of a
Memorandum of Intent between the S.
Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Indian Defense Innovation Organization –
Innovation for Defence Excellence (DIO-iDEX).
§
The Ministers announced to increase information-sharing efforts on
known or suspected terrorists and to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2396 on
returning foreign terrorist fighters.
Partners in the Indo-Pacific and Beyond:
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The Ministers reaffirmed
their shared commitment to a united, sovereign, democratic, inclusive, stable,
prosperous, and peaceful Afghanistan. The two sides expressed
their support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process.
§
India welcomed the recent U.S. – North Korea
summit. The two sides pledged to work together to counter North Korea’s
weapons of mass destruction programs and to hold accountable those countries
that have supported them.
§
The United States welcomed India’s accession to the Australia
Group, the Wassenaar Arrangement, and the Missile Technology Control Regime and
reiterated its full support for India’s immediate accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Promoting Prosperity and People-to People Ties:
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Both countries committed to further expanding and balancing the
trade and economic partnership consistent with their leaders’ 2017 joint
statement, including by facilitating trade, improving market access, and
addressing issues of interest to both sides.
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Thus, both sides welcomed the ongoing exchanges between the
Ministry of Commerce of India and the Office of the United States Trade
Representative and hoped for mutually acceptable outcomes.
§
Both sides looked forward to full implementation of the civil
nuclear energy partnership and collaboration between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited
(NPCIL) and Westinghouse
Electric Company for the establishment of six nuclear power
plants in India.
Observing the strong ties of
family, education, and business, and the spirit of entrepreneurship and
innovation that unite their people, the Ministers highlighted the unmatched
people-to-people ties between their countries and recognized the benefits to
both nations and the world from these ties, including the free flow of ideas
and collaboration in health, space, oceans, and other areas of science and
technology.
COMCASA- It will facilitate
exchange of secure communications between the two militaries and allow the sale
of encrypted communication system to India; However, India was insecure about
privacy.
Another important aspect of
discussion between US and India remains CAATSA that means Countering America’s
Adversaries Through Sanctions Act. CAATSA is a United States federal Law that
imposed sanctions on Iran, North Korea, and Russia.
How it was initiated?
India and U.S had elevated
their strategic dialogue in 2009 which mainly focused on regional
security, economic cooperation, defence, trade and climate challenge. The
purpose of 2+2 ministerial dialogue is to put strategic, defence and security
relationship between the two countries at the forefront and centre stage. The
new format would include External Affairs minister and defence minister from
India and their America counterpart’s secretary of state and defence secretary.
Why India-U. S 2+2 dialogue
delayed?
America has postponed its
inaugural 2+2 dialogue with India which was scheduled to be held at various occasions in 2018
Washington DC, citing “unavoidable reasons”. Both countries decided to have a dialogue in September 2018. The next 2+2 meeting is to be
held in the United States in 2019.
Importance
This will enhance and
strengthen strategic defence cooperation as well as India will be net security
provider in the region due to technological advancements. Both of the countries
will be able to understand and tackle the challenges in tougher times. It will
also enhance the diplomatic cooperation.
