Ahead of the 2+2 dialogue between India and the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden on Monday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
“The two leaders will review ongoing bilateral cooperation and exchange views on recent developments in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific region and global issues of mutual interest,” MEA said.
President Biden and PM Modi last spoke during the Quad leaders’ meet in March.
“The virtual meeting will enable both sides to continue their regular and high-level engagement aimed at further strengthening the bilateral Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership,” the MEA further said.
The virtual meeting is scheduled to precede the fourth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue which will be led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of External Affairs (MEA) S Jaishankar on the Indian side and their US counterparts, Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The White House also confirmed the meeting saying that the two leaders will meet virtually to “further deepen ties between our governments, economies, and our people.”
“President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will discuss cooperation on a range of issues including ending the COVID-19 pandemic, countering the climate crisis, strengthening the global economy, and upholding a free, open, rules-based international order to bolster security, democracy, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.
“President Biden will continue our close consultations on the consequences of Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and mitigating its destabilizing impact on global food supply and commodity markets,” she added.
The Press Secretary also said that the leaders will advance the ongoing conversations about the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and delivering high-quality infrastructure.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of Defence has formed a committee under a three-star-rank officer to decide on the curtailed deal for buying predator drones from the US. India was earlier planning to acquire 30 of these high-altitude long-endurance drones equipped with strike capability, including missiles, which were to be equally distributed among the three services.
“A committee has been formed under a Lieutenant General-rank officer of the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters to decide on the number of Predator drones that the three services should buy to meet their requirements till the time indigenous development of similar equipment can be done,” government sources told ANI.
Sources said the three services have requirements for these drones which can be used for surveillance as well as attacking enemy targets from standoff distances.
Almost all the defence deals planned through the import route had either been scrapped or put on hold by the Defence Ministry on the directions of the Prime Minister’s Office in favour of indigenous weapon systems.
India is operating two predator drones which were hired on lease from an American firm and they have been helping the Navy to keep track of activities in the Indian Ocean Region.
The movement of Chinese research vessels and Anti piracy Escort Force is also constantly monitored by the two drones acquired on lease from the Americans.
India has acquired 12 American P-8I anti-submarine warfare and surveillance planes for keeping an eye on the IOR and was working on getting six more of these planes.
However, after the government’s instructions on import programmes, the government would soon decide on the project too shortly.
In line with the Prime Minister’s directions, the Indian Navy is now charting an indigenous roadmap for all its requirements of weapon systems and equipment.
PM Modi has been giving a lot of stress on indigenisation and also recently told armed forces and other stakeholders that only made in India systems can provide them with unique solutions.