India-US 2+2 Dialogue : Mike Pompeo, US Defence Secy To Reach India Today, Key Military Pact On Agenda

The two-plus-two dialogue will be held on Tuesday. The Indian side at the talks will be represented by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh

Image: Twitter

New Delhi: US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Sunday boarded the flight for the trip to India for the third edition of the two-plus-two ministerial dialogue, that begins in New Delhi. Pompeo will meet the Indian delegates with the aim to expand cooperation to promote stability and prosperity in the India-Pacific and the world. Secretary Pompeo is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. He will also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hold discussions with other government and business leaders on ways to advance the US-India Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The US official will be travelling along with Secretary of Defence Mark T Esper from October 25 to 29. Pompeo will also visit Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia to engage the countries in discussions on how free nations can work together to thwart threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party. Pompeo, on Twitter, said: "Wheels up for my trip to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia. Grateful for the opportunity to connect with our partners to promote a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific composed of independent, strong, and prosperous nations."

Wheels up for my trip to India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia. Grateful for the opportunity to connect with our partners to promote a shared vision for a free and open #IndoPacific composed of independent, strong, and prosperous nations. pic.twitter.com/IoaJvtsHZC

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) October 25, 2020

 The talks between the US and India will focus on four themes -- regional security cooperation, defense information sharing, military-to-military interactions, and defense trade, the US State Department said in a statement on Friday.

Pompeo's arrival will reportedly mark the fourth visit to India by a Secretary of State during the Donald Trump Administration. 2+2 dialogue with Pompeo will be held on October 27 The two-plus-two dialogue will be held on Tuesday.  The Indian side at the talks will be represented by external affairs minister S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh. A host of crucial bilateral, regional, and global issues including China's efforts to expand influence in the Indo-Pacific region as well as its aggressive behaviour in eastern Ladakh is likely to figure in the talks. In the last few months, the US has been ramping up attack on China over a range of contentious issues including the border row with India, its military assertiveness in the South China Sea, and the way Beijing handled the anti-government protests in Hong Kong.