India-US 2+2 dialogue to focus on cross-cutting bilateral, international issues: MEA

Ministry of External Affairs said on October 22 that third India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue will focus on cross-cutting bilateral issues of mutual interest. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath will hold 2+2 ministerial dialogue with ir US counterparts on October 27. Anurag Srivastava, official MEA spokesperson, told a weekly press briefing that two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark Esper are scheduled to visit India on October 2 for ministerial-level talks. Pompeo and Esper will also meet National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on sidelines of ministerial dialogue and re will be a joint call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said Srivastava.

India and United States are expected to sign Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) for geo-spatial cooperation during 2+2 ministerial dialogue. signing of BECA will be a significant landmark in US-India strategic cooperation as it allows India to use global geospatial maps of US for accuracy of stand-off weapons like cruise and ballistic missiles.

Read: India, US Likely To Hold Third Edition Of 'two-plus-two' Dialogue On October 26-27

Read: India, US To Sign BECA Deal During Third Edition Of 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

MEA on FATF grey-list

spokesperson also highlighted that Pakistan has addressed only 21 action items out of 27 items parameters laid down by Financial Action Task Force (FATF). global watchdog is holding a three-day virtual plenary session where it will review Pakistan's progress on action plan. Srivastava said that six important action items are yet to be addressed. 

“As it is well kwn, Pakistan continues to provide safe haven to terrorist entities and individuals,” he added.

MEA spokesperson said that Pakistani forces have continued to eng in unprovoked ceasefire violations and often se violations are to support infiltration of terrorists across Line of Control. He ted that Pakistani forces have carried out 3800 unprovoked ceasefire violations so far in 2020.

Read: India-US 2 Plus 2 Ministerial Talks Likely In Oct End; Key Defence Pact, China To Be Focus

Read: Pompeo To Participate In QUAD Ministerial Meet In Japan On October 6