Fifth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What are 2+2 meetings?
• Who are India’s 2+2 partners?
• Significance of this mechanism
• News Summary: Fifth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
• Defence and strategic agreements under 2+2

Why in news?

• Indian Defence Minister and External Affairs Minister met their counterparts from the US government for the fifth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held in New Delhi.
• The 2+2 meetings have been held annually with the US leaders since 2018.

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2+2 meetings

• The 2+2 meetings signify the participation of two high-level representatives, Ministers holding Foreign and Defence portfolios, from each of the two countries.
• These meetings aim to enhance the scope of dialogue between them.
• Such a mechanism enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities.
• This, in turn, help to build a stronger, more integrated strategic relationship in a rapidly changing global environment.

Who are India’s 2+2 partners?

• With US
  • The US is India’s oldest and most important 2+2 talks partner.
  • The first 2+2 dialogue between the two countries was held during the Trump Administrationin New Delhi in September 2018.
  • It was also seen as a replacement for the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.
    • These dialogues were held between the foreign and commerce ministers of the two countries during the previous Obama administration.
• With other countries
  • Additionally, India has held 2+2 meetings with ministers from Australia, Japan, United Kingdom and Russia.
  • The talks with Japan via this platform began in 2019, with the aim that it would further enhance the strategic depth of bilateral security and defence cooperation.
  • The inaugural edition of 2+2 dialogue with Russia was held in
    • Both Russia and India have a similar worldview of a more polycentric, more multipolar, more equitable world order.
  • The same year (2021), 2+2 dialogue with Australia also began.
  • In October 2023, the first such meeting with the UK took place in New delhi.

Significance of this mechanism

• The strengthening of the mechanisms of cooperation between the two militaries is of significance in the context of an increasingly aggressive China.
• China threatens a large number of countries in its neighbourhood and beyond.
• It has been challenging several established norms and aspects of international relations.
• The establishment of the mechanism with Japan is another example of this.
• However, India also talks to Russia through 2+2 dialogues, keeping in mind its security and energy interests and the countries’ historical depth of relations.

News Summary: Fifth India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

Defence and strategic agreements under 2+2

• Over the years, the strategic bilateral relationship with its partners, including the dialogues held in the 2+2 format, has produced far-reaching results for India.
• India and the US have signed a troika of foundational pacts for deep military cooperation.
• These include the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016, followed by the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) after the first 2+2 dialogue in 2018.
• After that, both the sides signed the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) in 2020.

Q1) What is Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA)?

The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) is a military agreement between the United States and India. It was signed on August 29, 2016. LEMOA allows the two countries to share military logistics, such as fuel, ammunition, and spare parts, during joint military exercises and operations. It also allows access to military refueling and replenishment facilities on either side.

Q2) What is Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA)?

The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) is a military communication agreement between the governments of India and the United States. It was signed on October 27, 2020.

Source: India holds ‘2+2’ Ministerial dialogue with the US: What it means | MEA