The fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue began on Friday with a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. After exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands, the two leaders proceeded to the fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Secretary Blinken, who is co-chairing the US-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, arrived in Delhi on Friday. Arindam Bagchi, an official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated that Blinken’s visit will strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between the United States and India.
“A warm welcome to U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken as he arrives in New Delhi to co-chair the 5th India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. The visit will give a further boost to the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership!,” Bagchi wrote on ‘X’.
The US has said it supports India’s emergence as a leading global power and a vital partner in promoting a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. The country said the US-India relationship is one of the most strategic and consequential of the 21st century, as per a fact sheet released by the US State Department.
The fact sheet said the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between the US Secretaries of State and Defence and their Indian counterparts is the premier recurring dialogue mechanism between the United States and India.
Speaking about Blinken’s visit to India, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department Vedant Patel stated: “We have a deep partnership with India.” Along with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, he (Blinken) will attend the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. It goes without saying that one of the many things that will be discussed will be strengthening the security cooperation in partnership.” US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also touched down in New Delhi earlier on Thursday, beginning a two-day visit to attend the India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue. Rajnath Singh, his Indian counterpart, greeted him.