ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 19 April. Click Here for more information.
ForumIAS Answer Writing Focus Group (AWFG) for Mains 2024 commencing from 24th June 2024. The Entrance Test for the program will be held on 28th April 2024 at 9 AM. To know more about the program visit: https://forumias.com/blog/awfg2024
News:
- India to participate in 2+2 Dialogue with USA.
Important Facts:
2. From India External Affair and Defence Minister and from USAState and Defencesecretary will participate in the dialogue.
3. Military ties and exercises has increased between both countries but diplomatic ties aren’t catching with same pace.
4. Though India share close diplomatic ties with USA, key defence agreement and several deals are still not moving forward.
5. 2+2 Dialogue will bring USA and India on the same platform to address these challenges.
6. It will also review the U.S.’s South Asia policy on Afghanistan and its Indo-Pacific strategy.
7. Other Issues expected to be discussed U.S. demands on lowering tariffs and subsidies, India’s stand in WTO against the USA, The Reserve Bank of India’s data localisation order and Price caps on medical devices.
8. The dialogue was schedule after Indian PM visited Washington in 2017, however it couldn’t formalized then due to busy schedules of all 4 principals and Former Secretary of State of USA got fired.
9. What achievement are expected from the Dialogue:
- Progress in discussion on defence procurement ranging from missile systems (NASAMS-II) to helicopters (24 Sikorsky MH-60 Romeo maritime helicopters) to drones (predator-B).
- Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) over sharing critical information.
- Talks on the US restriction on India on defence purchase from Russia.
- Setup direct hotline between defence leaders of both countries to discuss the issue of terrorism.
- Demand for India to declareJaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar a UNSC designated terrorist.
- US also looking for India support in its move against Iran though.
10. Discussion may take place in relation to those who are considering India and USA trade ties a strategic issue.
