India-US 2+2 Meet: Ministers Discuss Jet Engine Deal, Canada, Israel-Hamas and China

External affairs minister S Jaishankar and Defence minister Rajnath Singh and US secretary of state Antony Blinken and US defence secretary Lloyd Austin met for the fifth edition of the 2+2 ministerial dialogue on Friday. After the meeting, Jaishankar said both sets of ministers discussed how to advance strategic partnership between India and the US.

The ministers also exchanged views and perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, South Asia, West Asia and Ukraine conflict, the external affairs minister S Jaishankar said. “Also exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, South Asia, West Asia and Ukraine conflict. Reaffirmed our commitment to our collaboration in the multilateral arena and engaging the Global South,” he further added.

The defence ministers of both nations discussed a possible jet engine deal, secretary of ministry of defence Giridhar Aramane said. “We are finalising the commercial and legal arrangements for a jet engine deal,” Giridhar Aramane said. “The American company has to take clearance from the government and (then) come back to us,” he further added.

Rewarding and Substantive

Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra in a press conference said the meetings were “rewarding and substantive”. “The meetings today and the atmosphere surrounding the meeting were all indicative of the enduring commitment of the bilateral partnership, particularly importantly our desire to work together to expand this partnership further and to deepen it more,” Kwatra was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Indo-Canada Ties Discussed

The foreign secretary said that the diplomatic tussles between New Delhi and Ottawa were also discussed between the ministers. “We have been having consistent conversations with all our friends and partners, and our stand has been enunciated in the past as well,” Kwatra said.

India and Canada relations have hit a low after Canada accused India of playing a role in the June 2023 murder of Khalistani separatist-terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was also a Canadian citizen in a parking lot in Vancouver.

Khalistani terrorists have threatened to blow up an Air India flight this month, forcing Canadian authorities to investigate the violent separatists.

Peace in West Asia and China

The tensions in West Asia also featured in the meeting. “Discussion on Israel and Hamas took place, we have always advocated zero tolerance for terrorism. We also support humanitarian aid and assistance. The de-escalation of the situation and civilian casualties (were) also discussed,” he further added. Kwatra said that the conduct of China in the Indo-Pacific region was “discussed in detail”.

Deeper Defence Collaboration

The ministers discussed how to develop India-US defence ties and how both nations can move forward in space and tech sectors, future logistics cooperation and people to people contacts, the external affairs ministers said in a post on social media site X.

“Concluded a substantive India-US 2+2 Ministerial Meeting. Followed up on PM Narendra Modi’s State visit to the US this June. Our agenda covered advancing our strategic partnership, including elevating our defence ties, moving forward in space and tech, future logistics cooperation and people to people contacts,” Jaishankar said.

The US defence secretary Lloyd Austin said that it is more important than ever for India and the US to exchange views and work towards common goals.

“Just concluded the 5th US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Today’s discussions underscored that in the face of urgent global challenges, it is more important than ever that our two democracies exchange views, work toward common goals, and deliver for our two countries,” Austin said.

Rajnath Singh also in a post on social media site X said they had a “engaging, enriching and fruitful discussion”. “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,” the defence minister said.