India to host ‘2+2’ Dialogue Mechanism | 21 Jul 2018

India will host the inaugural round of the two-plus-two dialogue with the United States on September 6, 2018.

Key Highlights

  • It is aimed at opening a new chapter in the strategic partnership between India and the United States.
  • The Ministerial-level meeting will cover a broad range of bilateral, regional and global issues of shared interest, with a view to strengthening strategic and security ties between the two countries.
  • The ‘two-plus-two’ dialogue comes amidst prospects of India being imposed with unintended sanctions that are targeted at Iran and Russia.
  • India wants the US to recognize that its purchase of the S-400 air defence system from Russia is a legacy decision that predates the enactment last year of the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions ACT.

NOTE: What is CAATSA?

  • Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is a legislation introduced in the United States that aims to counter anti-US aggression displayed by countries like Iran, North Korea and Russia through a series of punitive measures.
  • Among the provisions of CAATSA are secondary sanctions on countries that are found to be dealing with the Russian defence and intelligence sectors.
  • There are also concerns over how US sanctions on Iran will impact India’s energy ties with Tehran and New Delhi’s plans to develop the Iranian port of Chabahar.
  • Although this is undoubtedly a serious challenge in the bilateral relationship, it is not insurmountable. Both sides will have to focus their efforts on finding a solution that preserves both their respective interests.

NOTE: What is the 2+2 Dialogue?

  • The new dialogue format will replace earlier India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue.
  • It is similar to India’s 2+2 dialogue with Japan, Australia and South Korea format between foreign and defence secretaries of the two countries.
  • The 2+2 Dialogue between the US and India aims to enhance strategic coordination between both countries and maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.