India-US 2+2 Dialogue Live: US, India sign Space Situational Awareness arrangement

PM Modi and US President Joe Biden discussed the developments in the South Asian region, a White House official said.  "They touched on some of the developments in Sri Lanka, in Bangladesh.  It wasn’t a detailed discussion by the leaders, but it did come up.  And I am positive there will be more detailed discussions throughout the course of the next day and a half."

"India has concerns about the links between Russia and China," Washington explained after the 2+2 Defense Ministerial meeting between the two countries to the American press. In response to why India does not choose to opt for a harsh tone against Russia, US officials emphasized New Delhi's diplomatic approach to ensure regional security.

When asked if President Biden demanded "explicit commitments" from India about not purchasing oil from Russia, US official replied: "India, of course, is facing a very tense situation along the Line of Actual Control.  And when India sees the tight links between China and Russia, that’s obviously going to impact their thinking." 

He then informed that there was "no concrete ask and concrete answer" about India's approach to Russia Ukraine war or its oil imports but the leaders "were able to step back and have a pretty detailed and candid exchange of views."

"India is going to make its own judgments" when it comes to taking a stance in the Russia Ukraine war, a White House official said, responding to a question about whether US President Joe Biden pushed PM Modi on "taking sides" in the ongoing conflict. When asked that India has been among the nations that had been more reticent to speak out against the war in Ukraine, and the measures Biden took to make India condemn Russia and "choose sides," the Biden administration official said that India's neutral position is subject to its own foreign policy. 

"Prime Minister Modi brought up the situation, again, in his public remarks, and there was discussion.  I mean, the President shared his views, and Prime Minister Modi shared his views," the official said, referring to Prime Minister's remarks where he condemned the Bucha killings and war atrocities on civilians in Ukraine. 

US official went on to explain: "You will have seen in recent days that India made some pretty strong statements in New York condemning the killings of civilians, supporting calls for an independent investigation.  India is also providing humanitarian relief materials to Ukraine, including medicine and other supplies." 

"I think India will make its own decisions, but we’re going to continue the discussions," he iterated. 

"And as I mentioned earlier, there were conversations about how to mitigate the destabilizing impacts of Putin’s war, including on food supply, where India is in a position to assist — has done some things, and there was discussion about what more India might be able to do."

A White House official clarified that US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a "very candid conversation" with respect to India's oil needs, and its recent purchases from Russia despite the sanctions. "We know that not all countries will be able to do what we’ve done," the official said. "We know that India is not a major consumer of Russian oil.  Its current imports are about 1 to 2 percent of its total energy imports," he went on to add when asked if there was any formal kind of agreement on India's purchases of Russian oil. 

"Our energy payments — our energy payments are exempt from current sanctions. And we’ve been very clear that we’ve been able to ban oil and LNG and coal imports from Russia, but other countries have to make their own choices," the White House official iterated.

"US  is ready to support India, remain in a conversation with India about its diversification of imports," he continued, adding "we don’t think India should accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy." 

A White House official during a press call on Tuesday said that US President Joe Biden affirmed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Washington's partnership with India "is one of our most important relationships." 

"Two leaders had a chance to have an hourlong, very candid conversation to discuss a range of bilateral and global issues.  The meeting was warm and productive, and they covered a lot of ground," he said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the virtual meeting with US president Joe Biden reiterated that India had "instantly condemned killings' witnessed in Bucha and elsewhere in midst of an ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. 

"We instantly condemned the killings and have called for an independent inquiry. We hope that the ongoing discussions between Russia and Ukraine will lead to peace," PM Modi said. 

US President Joe Biden during virtual talks with PM Modi assured that Washington is seeking global good in East Asia, and is looking to strengthen the US-India relationship and not vice versa. 

"Our continued consultation and dialogue are key to ensuring the US-India relationship continues to grow deeper and stronger, delivering our people and our global good -- good that we all are seeking to manage particularly in your part of the world," US commander in Chief Biden told India's Prime Minister ahead of the crucial 2+2 Ministerial meeting. 

US President Joe Biden on Monday hailed India's humanitarian efforts as he spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the virtual meeting. 

 "I want to welcome India's humanitarian support from people in Ukraine, who are suffering a horrific assault, including a tragic shelling in a train station last week that killed dozens of innocent children and women and civilians attempting to flee the violence," said Biden.

"The United States and India are going to continue our close consultation on how to manage the destabilizing effects of this Russian war."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday (local time) said that India has a "critical role to play in the Indian Ocean Region" and wider Indo-Pacific following Act East and Neighbourhood First policies, adding a major defence partnership is one of the most important pillars of India-US strategic relations.

Speaking at the fourth India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue here, he highlighted that India played a pre-eminent role in the Indo-Pacific region.

"Major defence partnership is one of the most important pillars of India-US strategic relations. India has critical roles to play in Indian Ocean Region, wider Indo-Pacific following Act East and Neighbourhood First policies," he said

"India played a pre-eminent role in the region, from Tsunami in 2004 and during COVID-19. We have signed eight different defence-related agreements between our two countries in the last few years, including Space Situational Awareness Agreement for an unclassified domain which is being signed today," the Defence Minister said.

Credit: Twitter/@rajnathsingh

He also said that India-US military engagements increased with higher capability in communication, closer info sharing and enhanced mutual logistics support despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It's a reflection of the growing depth and scale of our defence partnership," Rajnath Singh noted. "In a decade, our defence supplies from the US rose from negligible to a cumulative amount of over USD 20 Billion. We look forward to US companies investing in India and supporting the Make in India program," he added.

Source: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed US President Joe Biden's slogan "Democracies can Deliver" stressing that New Delhi and Washington's historic partnership makes it "meaningful." 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (local time) said that the collaboration between US and India has grown well beyond its bilateral scope and has a visible impact on global issues including COVID-19, climate action, maritime security, and critical technologies. Speaking at US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, the minister said that what Delhi and Washington do will make a difference.

"Our collaboration has grown well beyond his bilateral scope and now has a visible impact on global impact as well; it could be addressing the COVID-19 challenge, taking climate actions, ensuring maritime security or promoting critical technology. What India and US do together will make a difference," he said.

"It is a great pleasure to participate in the 4th India-US 2+2 ministerial dialogue. This morning we had separate meetings with our state and defence counterparts respectively. We have benefitted from the guidance provided by PM Modi and President Biden through the virtual summit. The 2+2 format is intended to promote a more integrated approach to our partnership. This has become increasingly relevant as the scope and intensity of our engagement steadily increases," he added.

EAM Jaishankar said that the nature of our opportunities and challenges are such that they are more effectively addressed through a cross-cutting dialogue. "As we meet for the 4th time, we can take satisfaction at the extent of progress that we have made. Whether it's our USD 160 billion trade account, our 200,000 students, our highest recorded investment levels, or our rapidly growing energy trade. The yardsticks to measure growing closeness tell their own story," he said.

US-India 2+2 Ministerial between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held today at Washington. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today held a virtual meeting with United States President Joe Biden wherein both the leaders had an extensive exchange of views on several regional and global issues, such as Ukraine situation, Indo-Pacific region.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar, who are in Washington DC for the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, were also present at the White House during the interaction, along with their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to PMO's release, the two Leaders had an "extensive exchange of views on several regional and global issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recovery, climate action, recent developments in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, and the situation in Ukraine." They also took stock of the significant progress made in bilateral relations in recent years. Both leaders agreed that further strengthening of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership would be of tremendous benefit to the two countries, and would also contribute to global peace, prosperity and stability, the statement added.

Source: ANI

US Secy of Defence Lloyd James Austin III at India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue said that he is looking forward to discussing a range of bilateral defense priorities with India, including deeper info sharing and industrial cooperation. "That will help to ensure that our militaries are ready to meet any challenge," said the US Defense Secretary. 

India and the United States will be discussing contemporary developments, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, the Gulf, and the Indian subcontinent. "I thank Secy Blinken and Secy Austin for receiving us today and look forward to our talks," said EAM Dr. S Jaishankar at India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. 

India and US will have an opportunity to sign the Space Situational Awareness Agreement that will demonstrate the two nations' growing technology partnership which has virtually limitless potential for exploration, discovery, and achievement to benefit of people in both countries and world, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said. 

India and United States' collaboration and partnership has grown "well beyond its bilateral scope and has a visible impact on global issues," External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stressed at the crucial India US 2+2 Ministerial meeting. From major cooperations such as addressing the COVID-19 challenge, to taking climate action, ensuring maritime security, or promoting critical techs, what India and US do together will make a difference," Jaishankar emphasized. 

India's Defence Min Rajnath Singh at India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue emphasized that a Major defence partnership is "one of the most important pillars of India-US strategic relations." He went on to add that India has a critical role to play in the Indian Ocean Region and wider Indo-Pacific security following Act East and Neighbourhood First policies. 

India's EAM Dr. S Jaishankar said that a significant focus of India-US engagement pertains to the Indo-Pacific. "We've seen, particularly over last year, both an elevation and intensification of the QUAD. Our achievements in this regard have a larger resonance. Today, we'll review all these matters and more," Jaishankar stressed. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday said that the 2+2 meetings have already played a key role in strengthening India and US' bilateral relationship. "Today's discussions will build upon previous productive meetings that we've had. It's a momentous moment in global affairs," US Secy of State Blinken stressed at India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. 

US Presdient Joe Biden told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was looking forward to the in-person meeting with him during the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) summit. "It's always good to see you. I am looking forward to seeing you in Japan on 24th May (Quad summit)," Biden said.

Pentagon on Monday hailed India-US defense ties and bilateral cooperation as it stressed: “We are having strong defense partnership with India, and we are working on making it stronger.” It added that with respect to the recent Russian oil imports, India like other countries can make its own decisions. However, the Pentagon stressed that it will continue to hold discussions about how to mitigate the destabilizing impacts of Putin's war and the atrocities in Ukraine. 

“There was discussion about what more India might be able to do, and on the energy issues, of course, it was a subject of discussion,” Pentagon iterated. “We have been very clear that we've been able to ban oil and LNG imports from Russia but other countries have to make their own choices.”

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday sad that the India-US defence partnership is vital for maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and broader Indian Ocean Region. During the press briefing at Washington, Singh iterated that he and his American counterpart Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed ways to deepen Major Defence Partnership and strengthen cooperation in order to advance the quality and scope of bilateral defence cooperation.

The two ministers "reviewed Military-to-Military engagements, information sharing, enhanced logistics cooperation and ability of Armed Forces to cooperate closely under compatible communication arrangements. In this context, closer cooperation of Special Operation Forces came up prominently," the Defence Ministry said. US and India also held talks about the closer collaboration between Defence Industries in both nations, said defence Minister Singh. Furthermore, he underlined the need for co-development, co-production between India and US companies and invited US companies to India for manufacturing and maintenance of defence equipment.

India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, during a press address in Washington, hailed the “growing depth and scale of India and US partnership.” India is working with the US to develop advanced technology across the emerging defense domain, he iterated. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar and a high-level delegation, held a meeting with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officials in the Pentagon. The defense ministers discussed bilateral defense cooperation and the regional security situation. 

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday asserted that India is on the right side of history as Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the atrocities witnessed in the northwest town of Bucha, Ukraine. Psaki also stated that US "has not asked India to do anything in particular on Russia" referring to speculations about US objection to India's trade ties with Russia. 

US Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Monday has clarified that the Indian government projects and their response to the energy imports "do not violate our sanctions." Psaki iterated that India only imports 1-2% of energy from Russia which is not a major oil purchase that is in breach of the west's coordinated sanctions. "We don't believe that India's interest is in accelerating the imports," said Psaki, after US President Joe Biden and India's PM Modi held bilateral talks in a virtual meeting. 

India's Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and the US Secretary of Defence held a bilateral meeting and reviewed defense cooperation and the regional security situation at Pentagon. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh invited the US companies to India for manufacturing and maintenance of defence equipment and to bolster trade ties. He, along with Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and a high-level delegation, held a meeting with Secretary of Defence of the United States of America Mr Lloyd Austin, accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officials in Pentagon on April 11, 2022.

"The two Defence Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral defence cooperation and the regional security situation. Both Ministers acknowledged the salience of the India-US defence partnership for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and broader Indian Ocean Region," a press document related to the meeting read on Monday. 

The two counterparts also discussed ways to deepen the Major Defence Partnership (MDP) and to work together to advance quality and scope in bilateral defence cooperation. They reviewed Military-to-Military engagements, information sharing, enhanced logistics cooperation, and the ability of the Armed Forces to cooperate closely under compatible communication arrangements. In this context, closer cooperation of Special Operation Forces came up prominently.

India and the US counterpart focused on closer collaboration between Defence Industries in both nations. The Raksha Mantri underlined the need of co-development, and co-production between India and US companies and invited US companies to India for manufacturing and maintenance of defence equipment.

Source: PIB/press release

After the US President Joe Biden and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a 2+2 bilateral meeting, White House in a statement said: "We know that India is not a major consumer of Russian oil. Its current imports are about one to 2% of its total energy import." It further added that as of now, "our energy payments are exempt from current sanctions. We have been very clear that we've been able to ban oil and LNG imports from Russia. But other countries have to make their own choices."

"That said, we don't think India should accelerate or increase imports of Russian energy and the US is ready to have conversations with India about diversification," said the official at the White House. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during talks with his US counterpart Joe Biden iterated that India and United States are "natural partners" and oldest democracies of the world. "There has been an unprecedented momentum in the relationship between the two countries [India-US], something that was hard to think of till the last decade," PM Modi said, moving on to discuss the situation of Ukraine with Biden.

Prime Minister also discussed the ongoing war crisis in Ukraine. "The situation is very concerning. At the time the offensive broke out, more than 20,000 Indians were stuck, who were eventually recused with a lot of hard work. Unfortunately, one Indian student lost his life in the region," he told Biden. 

At the United States and India's 2+2 Ministerial meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks with India's External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh of India. Jaishankar also met with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the summit. 

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, April 11 discussed deepening bilateral ties between the governments, economies, and the population of both the countries, as well as the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and delivering high-quality infrastructure.

The two leaders also held talks about bolstering cooperation on a range of issues including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, countering the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condemned the genocide that transpired in Ukraine's Bucha city which is located in Kyiv Oblast. The statement comes amid PM Modi's crucial virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on April 11. Furthermore, PM Modi also asked for an independent probe, demanding a 'fair investigation' in the massacre.

PM Modi said, "Recently the news of killings of innocent civilians in Bucha city was very worrying. We immediately condemned it and demanded a fair investigation. We hope that the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine will pave the way for peace."

READ FULL STORY HERE