Indian and US hold '2 + 2' dialogue LIVE UPDATES: EAM Sushma Swaraj and RM Nirmala Sitharaman hold high-level talks with US Secretaries Mike Pompeo and James Mattis

Update at 3:32 PM: Here is full text of Joint statement:

Joint Statement on Inaugural India-U.S 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

September 06, 2018

Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman welcomed Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo and Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis to India on September 6, 2018 for inaugural India-U.S. Ministerial 2+2 Dialogue. y welcomed launch of 2+2 Dialogue as a reflection of shared commitment by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump to provide a positive, forward-looking vision for India-U.S. strategic partnership and to promote synergy in ir diplomatic and security efforts. y resolved to continue meetings in this format on an annual basis. 

Celebrating over 70 years of diplomatic cooperation, Ministers reaffirmed ir view that India and United States, as sovereign democracies founded on values of freedom, justice, and commitment to rule of law, must continue to le global efforts to promote peace, prosperity, and security. 

Recognizing ir two countries are strategic partners, major and independent stakeholders in world affairs, Ministers committed to work toger on regional and global issues, including in bilateral, trilateral, and qurilateral formats. two sides furr decided to establish secure communication between Minister of External Affairs of India and U.S. Secretary of State, and between Minister of Defence of India and U.S. Secretary of Defense, to help maintain regular high-level communication on emerging developments. 

Strengning Defense and Security Partnership

Ministers reaffirmed strategic importance of India’s designation as a Major Defense Partner (MDP) of United States and committed to expand scope of India’s MDP status and take mutually agreed upon steps to strengn defense ties furr and promote better defense and security coordination and cooperation. y ted rapid growth in bilateral defense tre and qualitative improvement in levels of techlogy and equipment offered by United States to India in recent years. y welcomed inclusion of India by United States among top tier of countries entitled to license-free exports, re-exports, and transfers under License Exception Strategic Tre Authorization (STA-1) and also committed to explore or means to support furr expansion in two-way tre in defense items and defense manufacturing supply chain links. y welcomed signing of a Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) that will facilitate access to vanced defense systems and enable India to optimally utilize its existing U.S.-origin platforms. Ministers also anunced ir reiness to begin negotiations on an Industrial Security Annex (ISA) that would support closer defense industry cooperation and collaboration. 

Recognizing ir rapidly growing military-to-military ties, two sides committed to creation of a new, tri-services exercise and to furr increase personnel exchanges between two militaries and defense organizations. Ministers reviewed recent growth of bilateral engments in support of maritime security and maritime domain awareness, and committed to expand cooperation. Toward that end, Ministers committed to start exchanges between U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and Indian Navy, underscoring importance of deepening ir maritime cooperation in western Indian Ocean. 

Ackwledging unique role of techlogy in India-U.S. defense partnership, Ministers reaffirmed ir commitment to continue to encour and prioritize co-production and co-development projects through Defense Techlogy and Tre Initiative (DTTI), and to pursue or avenues of defense invation cooperation. In this regard, y welcomed conclusion of a Memorandum of Intent between U.S. Defense Invation Unit (DIU) and Indian Defence Invation Organization – Invation for Defence Excellence (DIO-iDEX). 

Welcoming expansion of bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation, Ministers anunced ir intent to increase information-sharing efforts on kwn or suspected terrorists and to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2396 on returning foreign terrorist fighters. y committed to enhance ir ongoing cooperation in multilateral fora such as UN and FATF. y reaffirmed ir support for a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism that will vance and strengn framework for global cooperation and reinforce mess that cause or grievance justifies terrorism. Ministers deunced any use of terrorist proxies in region, and in this context, y called on Pakistan to ensure that territory under its control is t used to launch terrorist attacks on or countries. On eve of 10-year anniversary of 26/11 Mumbai attack, y called on Pakistan to bring to justice expeditiously perpetrators of Mumbai, Pathankot, Uri, and or cross-border terrorist attacks. Ministers welcomed launch of a bilateral dialogue on designation of terrorists in 2017, which is strengning cooperation and action against terrorist groups, including Al-Qa’ida, ISIS, Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, Jaish-e-Mohamm, Hizb-ul Mujahideen, Haqqani Network, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, D-Company, and ir affiliates. two sides furr reaffirmed ir commitment to ongoing and future cooperation to ensure a stable cyber environment and to prevent cyber-attacks. 

Partners in Indo-Pacific and Beyond

Ministers reviewed cooperation in Indo-Pacific region, ting that common principles for region articulated in India-U.S. Joint Statement of June 2017 have been furr amplified by President Donald Trump at Danang, Vietnam on vember 10, 2017, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Singapore at Shangri-La Dialogue on June 1, 2018. Both sides committed to work toger and in concert with or partners toward vancing a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, based on recognition of ASEAN centrality and on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, rule of law, good governance, free and fair tre, and freedom of navigation and overflight. ting importance of infrastructure and connectivity for Indo-Pacific region, both sides emphasized need to work collectively with or partner countries to support transparent, responsible, and sustainable debt financing practices in infrastructure development. 

Ministers reaffirmed ir shared commitment to a united, sovereign, democratic, inclusive, stable, prosperous, and peaceful Afghanistan. two sides expressed support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. United States ackwledged India’s longstanding and ongoing contributions of ecomic assistance to Afghanistan and also welcomed India’s enhanced role in Afghanistan’s development and stabilization. 

India welcomed recent U.S.-rth Korea summit. two sides pledged to work toger to counter rth Korea’s weapons of mass destruction programs and to hold accountable those countries that have supported m. 

United States welcomed India’s accession to Australia Group, Wassenaar Arrangement, and Missile Techlogy Control Regime and reiterated its full support for India’s immediate accession to Nuclear Suppliers Group. 

Promoting Prosperity and People-to-People Ties

Ministers recognized importance and potential for increasing bilateral tre, investment, invation, and job creation in both countries. Both sides committed to furr expanding and balancing tre and ecomic partnership consistent with ir leers’ 2017 joint statement, including by facilitating tre, improving market access, and dressing issues of interest to both sides. In this regard, both sides welcomed ongoing exchanges between Ministry of Commerce of India and Office of United States Tre Representative and hoped for mutually acceptable outcomes. 

Both sides looked forward to full implementation of civil nuclear energy partnership and collaboration between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Westinghouse Electric Company for establishment of six nuclear power plants in India. 

Observing strong ties of family, education, and business, and spirit of entrepreneurship and invation that unite ir people, Ministers highlighted unmatched people-to-people ties between ir countries and recognized benefits to both nations and world from se ties, including free flow of ideas and collaboration in health, , oceans, and or areas of science and techlogy. 

next 2+2 meeting is to be held in United States in 2019. 

September 06, 2018
New Delhi

Update at 3:04 PM: This has furr bolstered our defence cooperation. We appreciated India's role as a stabilising factor in front line of region. We will continue to work to make India our closest ally and partner. COMCASA deepens our mil to mil ties a d helps us transfer state of art techlogy: James Mattis, U.S. Secretary of Defence

Update at 2:59 PM: In today's meeting we reaffirmed to cooperate in every possible way to ensure peace, prosperity and development. Also pledged to continue cooperation against terrorism and or security challenges: Nirmala Sitharaman, Raksha Mantri

Update at 2:57 PM: We have just completed a most productive meeting today. We deeply value ir support for stringer Indo-US ties.  commitment of India and US to expand on our common interest is clear and unwavering. We decided to work in all common interests. We will work toger to combat persisting threat of terror. Defence coop has emerged as most significant of our strategic partnership.It has elevated india and US ties to unprecedented height: Nirmala Sitharaman, Raksha Mantri

Update at 2:49 PM: India welcomes US role against Pakistan sponsored terror across LoC. India and US have spoken about terror group LeT and mastermind of 26/11 attacks: Sushma Swaraj

Update at 2:47 PM: H1B Visa raised with US. Friendship between Trump and Modi reflects that decision would be taken against interest of Indian people: Sushma Swaraj

Update at 2:46 PM: India and US decide to jointly work for India’s membership into Nuclear Suppliers Group.

Update at 2:44 PM: We have recently scrutinised recent Issues between us. India has shown utter responsibility towards imports and exports between two countries: Sushma Swaraj

Update at 2:34 PM: India and US have signed COMCASA deal.

Update at 2:20 PM: India-US joint statement shortly. Mike Pompeo, James Mattis, Sushma Swaraj and Nirmala Sitharaman to arrive at MEA Briefing Hall.

Update at 2:04 PM: Signing ceremony arrangements me at MEA ahe of Joint Statement of India and US. India, US likely to sign an agreement on COMCASA. Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement will improve interoperability of two forces.

Update at 12:30 PM: Thank your for hosting this inaugural 2+2. We share your confidence in strengning this top priority relationship. At this point I do want to express our condolences for lives lost here in Kerala floods and also applaud Indian military for saving so many lives. Our thoughts are with those who lost ir loved ones. We see India-US relation as a natural partnership between world’s two largest democracies. Partnership is based on joint strategic interests: US Secretary of Defence, James Mattis

Update at 12:00 PM: Today’s meeting marks a defining moment in our bilateral ties.  commencement of ministerial 2+2 between India and United States is a concrete manifestation of vision of our leers, PM Modi and President Trump to take India US relation to a higher trajectory. This meeting is also a reflection of tremendous progress that we have me in developing our ties over past few years. At same time, it is a strong recognition of immense potential of bilateral partnership for benefit of region and beyond. As Secretary Mattis and I agreed during our brief interaction this morning, defence cooperation has one of most significant dimensions of our relationship: Nirmala Sitharaman, Raksha Mantri

Update at 11:14 AM: Historic India-US 2+2 dialogue begins in New Delhi at MEA

Update at 10:55 AM:  2+2 talks between Sushma Swaraj, Nirmala Sitharaman and Mike Pompoe, James Mattis will begin at 11:05 AM.

Update at 10:53 AM:  bilateral talk between Sushma Swaraj and Mike Pompoe has concluded.

Update at 10:45 AM: At end of 2 + 2, Joint Press Statements by 4 leers at MEA will issue a strong statement against terror and on India-US ties on an urd swing. 

Update at 10:43 AM: India, US to talk on Afghanistan. Iran sanctions, China to be discussed during 2+2 as well.

Update at 10:40 AM: India and US to focus on deepening bilateral defence services. A tri-lateral military exercise could be firmed up involving Army, Air Force and Navy.

Update at 10:39 AM: Sources say that 2 plus 2 dialogue will also focus on US sanctions against Iran which makes tre with it illegal.

Update at 10:38 AM: Raksha Mantri Nirmala Sitharaman's meet with U.S. Secretary of Defence, James Mattis concludes. two have heed for 2+2 dialogue.

Update at 10:20 AM: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj begins her meeting with U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompoe.

Update at 10:10 AM:  high level meet between Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and U.S. Secretary of Defence, General James Mattis in underway.

External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj, along with Raksha Mantri, Niramala Sitharaman are set to hold first '2 plus 2' dialogue with U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompoe and U.S. Secretary of Defence, General James Mattis on Thursday in Delhi. One of major talking points during whole discussion will be about terrorism.

Nirmala Sitharaman and James Mattis will first hold a bilateral meeting on Thursday morning, which will be followed by talks between Sushma Swaraj and Mike Pompoe. After respective talks, all four will set toger for two sessions of 2+2. Later in day, two US officials will meet Prime Minister Narendraa Modi.

Here is schedule surrounding Pompeo's visit to India:

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

1935 hrs
Arrives in New Delhi

Thursday, September, 6, 2018

1000 hrs
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj holds Bilateral Meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

1100 hrs
Arrival of US Secretary of Defense James Mattis

1105 hrs
2+2 Dialogue

1115 hrs
Session – 1

1215 hrs
Session – 2 

1420 hrs
Press Statements

1630 hrs 
Joint Call on Prime Minister by US Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense

1745 hrs
US delegation emplanes