India-US 2+2 Dialogue: PM Modi's Meeting With Prez Biden Today, Leaders To Exchange Views On Global Issues

The US President last spoke to PM Modi and other Quad leaders during a virtual meeting in March. The virtual meeting comes amid some disquiet in Washington over New Delhi's position on Ukraine crisis

File Photo: PM Narendra Modi & US President Joe Biden (AFP Photo)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden today where the two Leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation.

The virtual interaction will take place ahead of the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue led by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar on the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to a statement by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), PM Modi and President Biden will exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, and global issues of mutual interest.

"The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership," the statement reads.

Notably, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with the US aerospace and defence majors Boeing and Raytheon after reaching Washington DC for the ministerial dialogue.

"He exhorted the companies to take advantage of policy initiatives in India to steadily march from ‘Make in India’ towards ‘Make for the World’," the Defence Ministry informed.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh met with the U.S. aerospace & defence majors Boeing and Raytheon after reaching Washington DC.
 
He exhorted the companies to take advantage of policy initiatives in India to steadily march from ‘Make in India’ towards ‘Make for the World’. pic.twitter.com/YPhp5Hx7zx

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) April 11, 2022

As previously mentioned, Rajnath Singh and S Jaishankar will lead the Indian delegation at the Fourth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue today in Washington D.C. The US delegation will be led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.

"The Dialogue would enable both sides to undertake a comprehensive review of cross-cutting issues in the India-US bilateral agenda related to foreign policy, defence and security with the objective of providing strategic guidance and vision for further consolidating the relationship," the External Affairs Ministry stated.

"The 2+2 Dialogue will also provide an opportunity to exchange views about important regional and global developments and how we can work together to address issues of common interest and concern," it informed

As part of an ongoing and regular dialogue, the External Affairs Minister will separately meet his US counterpart Secretary Blinken.

S Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet senior members of the US Administration to further advance the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.

The ministerial dialogue comes amid some disquiet in Washington over New Delhi's position on the Ukraine crisis as well as its decision to procure discounted Russian oil.

The US President last spoke to PM Modi and other Quad leaders during a virtual meeting in March.

Unlike its Quad partner countries, India has not yet directly condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has chosen to abstain from the votes at the UN platforms on the Russian aggression.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has been pressing for an immediate cessation of violence in Ukraine, seeking a resolution of the crisis through diplomacy and dialogue.