US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in India: China, Israel, 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue... Top 5 things you need to know
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will join Blinken in talks with India's foreign minister S Jaishankar and defence minister Rajnath Singh. The annual dialogue is expected to focus on "defence and security cooperation", the report added. Overall, the discussions are expected to cover a range of issues, including the ongoing border dispute with China, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the challenge posed by the conflict in Gaza to key trade and transport routes linking Europe, the Middle East, and India.
The annual 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between Blinken, Austin, Jaishankar, and Singh comes as India is a part of the Quad alliance with the US, Australia, and Japan, the report added. The quad seeks to enhance defence ties and move away from reliance on Russia as its primary military supplier. "Our intention is to encourage more collaboration to produce world-class defence equipment to meet Indian defence needs and contribute to greater global security," said Donald Lu, the top US diplomat for South and Central Asia.
India has earlier "swiftly condemned" Hamas in line with the US, expressing solidarity with Israel, the report noted. The talks aim to discuss the Gaza conflict and emphasize shared goals of preventing its escalation, preserving stability in the Middle East, and promoting a two-state solution. "The Indian government was direct in its condemnation of the Hamas terrorist attack and has also joined a chorus of nations, including the United States, that have called for sustained humanitarian access to Gaza," said Lu.
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