India US bridge Ukraine differences

What is the News?

The fourth ‘2+2’ dialogue between India and the United States was held in Washington, United States.

What is 2+2 dialogue?

The 2+2 dialogue is a format of the meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of India and its allies on strategic and security issues.

India has 2+2 dialogues with four key strategic partners: the US, Australia, Japan, and Russia. Besides Russia, the other three countries are also India’s partners in the Quad.

What are the key highlights from the 4th India-US ‘2+2’ dialogue?

MoU on Space Situational Awareness

India and the US have signed an agreement on Space Situational Awareness.

The agreement will create a framework for India and the US to share data about space debris and other objects. Especially the potential threat they could pose to the safety and security of the new and the existing satellites and the other space assets of the two nations.

It will also clear the way for ISRO’s ‘NETRA’ to start collaborating with the American Combined Space Operation Center(CSpOC) to protect satellites of both nations from natural and man-made threats.

Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence

India and the US have agreed to hold a dialogue on artificial intelligence to harness opportunities for joint innovation and cooperation in new domains.

India became an Associate Member of the Combined Maritime Forces

Combined Maritime Forces is a maritime partnership based in Bahrain that undertakes counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and regional cooperation to promote security, stability and prosperity across international waters.

India-US on Russia-Ukraine Issue

India and the US issued a joint statement that found a way to bridge the differences between the two sides on the Russia-Ukraine Issue.

The two countries urged an immediate cessation of hostilities, and unequivocally condemned civilian deaths. Further, they underscored that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, respect for international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states.

India has articulated these principles in its approach to the crisis in the past, but it is the first time they find space in a joint India-US statement.

Source: This post is based on the article “India US bridge Ukraine differences” published in Livemint on 13th April 2022.