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TOPIC - AN ANALYSIS OF THE OUTCOME OF 2+2 DIALOGUE

BETWEEN INDIA AND THE USA
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the 5th Edition of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was held on 10th Nov
2023. The dialogue was focused on a broad range of issues, including Indo-Pacific security, the Israel-
Hamas conflict, and the conflict in Ukraine. This article explains in detail the various aspects of 2+2
dialogue between India and USA from the UPSC perspective.

ABOUT THE 2+2 MEETING

The 2+2 meeting is a high-level strategic dialogue between countries, typically involving the foreign and
defense ministers from both nations. The term "2+2" refers to the two representatives from each
country participating in the meeting. These meetings serve as a platform for building strong
relationships, addressing shared challenges, and advancing common interests between the two nations
involved. The topics discussed can include military cooperation, regional security, trade relations,
counterterrorism efforts, and more.

INDIA’S 2+2 PARTNERS

India has established a 2+2 ministerial dialogue mechanism with four of its strategic partners: the United
States, Russia, Japan, and Australia. These dialogues bring together the foreign and defense ministers of
each country to discuss and coordinate on a wide range of issues, including security, defense,
counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.
India-US • The India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue is the most regular and high-level dialogue
between the two countries. It was established in 2018 and has been held annually
since then.
India-Russia • The India-Russia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was established in 2021. The first dialogue
was held in New Delhi in December 2021 and was co-chaired by Russian Foreign
Minister and Russian Defense Minister, and Indian External Affairs Minister and
Indian Defense Minister.
India-Japan • The India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was established in 2019. The first dialogue
was held in New Delhi in November 2019 and was co-chaired by Japanese Foreign
Minister and Japanese Defense Minister and Indian External Affairs Minister and
Indian Defense Minister.
India- • The India-Australia 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue was established in 2021. The first
Australia dialogue was held in New Delhi in September 2021 and was co-chaired by Australian
Foreign Minister and Australian Defense Minister, and Indian External Affairs
Minister and Indian Defense Minister.
The outcomes of the 5th India - USA 2+2 dialogue:

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• The outcomes of this U.S.-India 2+2 Dialogue were significant in strengthening the bilateral
relationship between the two countries.
• The ministers noted the substantial progress in transforming U.S.-India relations across various
domains, based on trust and mutual understanding.
• They reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a rules-based international order.
• India and the U.S. are currently negotiating deals for the purchase of MQ-9B unmanned aerial
vehicles and the licensed manufacturer of General Electric's F-414 jet engine in India.
• The discussions covered global issues such as the war in Ukraine and terrorist attacks in Israel.
• The defense partnership between the two nations was deepened through military exercises, joint
projects, and collaboration in emerging domains like space and artificial intelligence.
• The progress in defense industrial cooperation was commended, and there was an expressed
interest in co-developing and co-producing defense systems.
• The importance of investment in India's maintenance, repair, and overhaul sector was emphasized.
• The dialogue served as a platform for targeted cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region due to the rise
of China.

HOW HAVE BEEN INDIA’S RELATIONS WITH THE US?

• India's relations with the United States have been strategic and important. The two countries
have a strong partnership based on shared values of democracy and the rules-based
international system.
• They cooperate in various sectors; including defense and security, clean energy, space
exploration, and trade.
• The defense cooperation between India and the US is based on the "New Framework for India-
US Defense Cooperation," which was renewed for ten years in 2015.

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• The bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record $157 billion in 2021, and Indian
investment in the US has supported thousands of American jobs.
• Indian investment in the United States totalled $12.7 billion, supporting over 70,000 American
jobs. The nearly 200,000 Indian students in the United States contribute $7.7 billion annually to
the U.S. economy.
• India is an ASEAN dialogue partner, an Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development partner, and an observer to the Organization of American States. Together with
Australia and Japan, the United States and India convene as the Quad to promote a free and
open Indo-Pacific and provide tangible benefits to the region.
• They also collaborate in multilateral organizations like the United Nations, G-20, and the Quad.
• India is also one of twelve countries partnering with the United States on the Indo-Pacific
Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) to make our economies more connected, resilient,
clean, and fair. India is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), at which the
United States is a dialogue partner.
• The people-to-people ties between India and the US are strong, with a large Indian diaspora in
the US and many Indian students studying in American universities.
• The relationship between India and the US is characterized by cooperation, shared interests, and
a commitment to global security and prosperity.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 5TH INDIA-USA 2 + 2 MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE

• The defence partnership through wide-ranging dialogues and military
exercises of increasing complexity and sophistication, accelerated joint
projects initiated under the June 2023 Roadmap for India-U.S. Defence
Industrial Cooperation and expanded collaboration in emerging domains,
such as space and artificial intelligence.
• The Defence Industrial Cooperation provides for enhancing India’s
indigenous defence production, facilitating technology-sharing, and
promoting supply chain resilience. The Ministers accordingly appreciated
DEFENCE the commencement of negotiations for a commercial agreement between
COOPERATION General Electric (GE) Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
PARTNERSHIP to manufacture GE F-414 jet engines in India.
• Both sides committed to spurring investment in India’s growing
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector, which encompasses
aircraft maintenance and mid-voyage repair of U.S. naval vessels.
• The event provided an opportunity for private investors to mobilize capital
for funding innovation in cutting-edge technology to address critical
security needs. The Ministers launched the INDUS-X Gurukul Education
series to enable startups to leverage opportunities in the defence
ecosystems of India and the United States.

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• The Ministers unequivocally condemned terrorism and violent extremism,

and the use of terrorist proxies and logistical, financial or military support
to terrorist organizations, which could be used to launch or plan terrorist
attacks, including international attacks.
• India and the United States reiterated their condemnation of the 26/11
Mumbai attack and the Pathankot attack and called for bringing the
COUNTER-
perpetrators of these attacks to justice.
TERRORISM AND
• The Ministers voiced concerns about action against all terrorists, including
LAW
through designations of individuals affiliated with groups that are listed by
ENFORCEMENT
the UN Security Council 1267 Sanctions Committee, such as Al-Qa'ida,
COOPERATION
ISIS/Daesh, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
• The Ministers emphasized the importance of upholding international
standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of
terrorism, consistent with Financial Action Task Force recommendations.
Both countries reiterated their commitment to work together in FATF and
other multilateral platforms.
• The rapid progress made under the India-U.S. Initiative on Critical and
Emerging Technology (iCET) to build science and technology and critical
technology value chain collaborations in both the commercial and defence
sectors and look forward to the second iteration of iCET in New Delhi in
early 2024.
SCIENCE AND • They applauded many breakthrough advances in the India-U.S. technology
TECHNOLOGY partnership, including major U.S. private sector investments in India’s
PARTNERSHIPS semiconductor ecosystem since the launch of iCET this year.
• The Ministers applauded the recent developments in further
strengthening space collaborations by establishing a fifth sub-working
group, under the India-U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group, to focus on
‘Space Commerce’ and hailed a partnership-building event early next year.

• On the fifth India-U.S. Health Dialogue held on October 11-13, 2023, in

EXPANDING
Washington, D.C. The two sides identified several areas for future
HEALTH AND
cooperation, including multilateral cooperation, pandemic preparedness
TRADE DIALOGUES
and response, health safety and security, etc.
• The trade has the potential to cross US$ 200 billion despite a challenging
global trade environment. They appreciated the reinvigorated work of the
India-U.S.
TRADE AND • Trade Policy Forum (TPF) and the use of that mechanism to resolve long-
COMMERCIAL standing trade concerns during 2023 and announcement of "Innovation
PARTNERSHIP Handshake" under the Commercial Dialogue to enhance their dynamic
start-up ecosystems as well as promote innovation and post-pandemic
economic recovery and job growth, particularly in critical and emerging
technologies (CET).

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• The next ministerial TPF and Commercial Dialogue meeting early next
year. They steady progress of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity (IPEF), and looked forward to the upcoming IPEF Ministerial
meeting in November 2023.
• The U.S. Department of State’s launch of a pilot program in 2023 to
adjudicate domestic renewals of certain petition-based temporary work
STRENGTHENING
visas, including for Indian nationals.
PEOPLE-TO-
• The opening of a new Indian Consulate in Seattle and appreciated that the
PEOPLE TIES
United States has initiated discussions with the Government of India on
opening new consulates in the cities of Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.
• The Taliban to adhere to their commitment to prevent any group or
individual from using the territory of Afghanistan to threaten the security
of any country; and noted UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021), which demands
that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to
shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks.
AFGHANISTAN • The Ministers urged the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans,
including women, children, and members of minority groups; and uphold
freedom of travel. They emphasized unhindered access to deliver
humanitarian assistance and recommitted to having consultations on
Afghanistan to help facilitate an inclusive and peaceful future for all
Afghans.
• The importance of a free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific and
renewed their shared desire to consolidate their dialogue and
collaboration through the Quad.
• Both countries important role in the Quad as a force for global good for
the peoples of the Indo-Pacific. They help to build trust between
countries, because of India hosting the next in-person Quad leaders’
Summit in 2024.
MULTILATERAL
• The I2U2 countries are enhanced the food, energy security and improve
DIPLOMACY AND
the movement of people and goods across hemispheres. The India-Middle
CONNECTIVITY
East-Europe Economic Corridor will enhance connectivity between Asia
and Europe and will unlock new potential for economic growth in the two
continents. They welcomed the relaunch of consultations between the
Indian
• The United States continued support for India’s permanent membership in
a reformed UNSC and again extended welcome to India’s candidature for
the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29.

THE CHALLENGES
MANAGING • India's growing stature in the international arena has led to increased
PERCEPTIONS OF expectations and responsibilities. Its close relationship with the US has
REGIONAL been viewed by some as an assertion of regional leadership. However,

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LEADERSHIP India must carefully manage these perceptions, ensuring that its actions
are seen as promoting regional cooperation and stability rather than
seeking dominance.
• India's domestic political landscape is characterized by a diversity of views
NAVIGATING on foreign policy. While there is broad support for maintaining strong ties
DOMESTIC POLITICAL with the US, there is also a strong sentiment in favor of India's strategic
autonomy. Indian diplomacy must navigate these domestic political
DYNAMICS
dynamics, ensuring that its foreign policy choices align with the national
interest while maintaining public support.
• India's longstanding strategic partnership with Russia has been a
cornerstone of its foreign policy. However, India's growing closeness with
STRAINED RELATIONS the US has raised concerns in Moscow, particularly regarding India's
participation in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) and its
WITH RUSSIA
purchase of US military equipment. These developments have led to
tensions between India and Russia, with Moscow expressing concerns
about India's perceived alignment with the US-led bloc.
• India's relationship with China is complex and multifaceted, marked by
both cooperation and competition. While India has sought to maintain a
BALANCING stable relationship with China, its close ties with the US have been viewed
RELATIONS WITH with suspicion by Beijing. China has expressed concerns about the US-India
CHINA strategic partnership, particularly in the context of the Indo-Pacific region.
India faces the challenge of balancing its relationship with the US while
managing its complex ties with China.
• Trade imbalances and market access have been longstanding issues and
impacts on Atmanirbhar bharat programme. Both countries have engaged
TRADE AND
in trade negotiations, but differences over tariffs, intellectual property
ECONOMIC ISSUES
rights, and other economic policies have at times strained the economic
relationship.
• India traditionally values its strategic autonomy and pursues a non-aligned
STRATEGIC foreign policy. While it has deepened ties with the U.S., it also maintains
AUTONOMY VS. relationships with other countries, including Russia and Iran. This balance
ALLIANCES can sometimes create challenges, especially as the U.S. has alliances that
shape its foreign policy.
• While there has been significant progress in defense and security
DEFENSE AND
cooperation, including defense deals and joint military exercises,
SECURITY
differences may arise over issues such as technology transfer, defense
COOPERATION
procurement, and regional security strategies.
• Differences over data privacy, technology policies, and the regulation of
TECHNOLOGY AND digital platforms can impact the technology partnership between the two
DATA PRIVACY countries. Concerns over data localization and privacy standards may need
to be addressed for smoother collaboration.

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THE WAYFORWARD
o The dialogue discussed a broad range of issues, including Indo-Pacific
security and emphasised the increasing importance of the bilateral
INDO-PACIFIC
partnership for joint defense efforts and global supply chain securitization.
SECURITY
o Central to the meeting’s agenda was the effort to maintain a Free and Open
Indo-Pacific partnership.
o The USA has taken an assertive stance for the resolution of Ukraine war. The
United States has imposed severe sanctions on Russia, provided billions of
dollars in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and led a global effort to
isolate Russia diplomatically.
THE CONFLICT IN
o But India’s approach has been quite measured which has not gone down
UKRAINE
well with the USA. However, the successful conclusion of the this meeting
means that both the countries can keep their differences aside and focus on
core issues which is a positive sign.

o During the meeting, India and the United States jointly declared support for
a political solution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
ISRAEL-HAMAS o The two countries further called for a humanitarian pause and the
WAR continuation of diplomatic coordination with key partners in the region.
o Both sides pledged humanitarian support for Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
This indicates encouraging signs of convergence on global issues.
o The United States is playing important role in India's efforts to become a
semiconductor hub. The US government has been providing financial and
technical assistance to India, and US companies are investing in India's
SEMICONDUCTOR
semiconductor sector.
PRODUCTION
o India currently imports all chips and the market is estimated to touch USD
SECTOR
100 billion by 2025 from USD 24 billion now. The increased level of
partnership between the two can help India’s semiconductor industrial
development in multiple ways.

THE CONCLUSION-The 2+2 Dialogue indicate a multifaceted partnership between India and the U.S.,
covering defense, security, technology, health, trade, and global diplomacy. Both countries are actively
working on collaborative solutions to address emerging challenges resolve in the future and help in
future their strategic relationship across various sectors for strength of relationship.

UPSC MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Discuss the key outcomes and the significance of the 5th Edition of the India-US 2+2 Ministerial
Dialogue held on 2023.
Q. Analyze the implications of the strengthened defense and security partnership, advancements in
science and technology collaborations, and the broader diplomatic strategies outlined in India- USA 2+2
dialogue.

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UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. ‘What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still
unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem
and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. (2019)

SOURCE
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-us-hold-22-ministerial-dialogue-with-focus-on-
indo-pacific-critical-minerals-and-global-challenges/article67520341.ece
• https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-
documents.htm?dtl/37252/Joint_Statement_Fifth_Annual_IndiaUS_22_Ministerial_Dialogue
• https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/india-us-hold-substantive-2-2-dialogue-focus-
on-expanding-strategic-ties-123111000617_1.html
• https://www.cfr.org/blog/outcomes-november-us-india-22-dialogue
• https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-india/

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