SYLLABUS
GS-2: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Context: Recently, India and the US concluded a Virtual 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue, amid tariff tensions.
More on the News
- On 25 August 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence co-chaired the virtual India-US 2+2 Intersessional Dialogue alongside the US Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.
- This intersessional meeting serves as a mid-cycle review of the broader 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue, which involves the foreign and defence ministers of both countries.
Key outcomes of the Dialogue
- Officials advanced bilateral initiatives, reviewed regional security, and shared perspectives on key priorities.
- Discussions covered trade, investment, energy security including civil-nuclear cooperation, critical minerals, and counter-narcotics/terrorism cooperation.
- Both sides agreed to boost defence ties through a new 10-year Framework for the India–US Major Defence Partnership, focusing on defence technology, industry, operations, regional cooperation, and information-sharing.
- Participants agreed to build upon the progress made in these areas under the auspices of the India-US COMPACT (Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) for the 21st Century and beyond.
- The chairs reaffirmed their commitment to promoting a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Indo-Pacific region through the Quad.
India is set to host the Quad Leaders’ Summit this year, with participation from the Japan and Australia, besides US.
About 2+2 dialogue
- A 2+2 ministerial dialogue is a high level diplomatic meeting where the foreign and defense ministers of two strategic partner countries meet to discuss and advance their shared security and strategic interests.
- It enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities, taking into account political factors on both sides.
- India currently has 2+2 dialogues with some key strategic partners such as the US, Australia, Japan, Russia, UK and Brazil.
Significance of the 2+2 dialogue
- Strategic Alignment: Provides a high-level platform for foreign and defence ministers to align policies on security, defence, and regional stability, enhancing strategic convergence.
- Deepening Defence Cooperation: Facilitates conclusion of key defence agreements (e.g., LEMOA, COMCASA, BECA) and operational coordination between armed forces, boosting military interoperability.
- Partners in the Indo-Pacific and Beyond: It reinforces joint commitment to a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific amid rising challenges, particularly from an assertive China.
- Integrated Partnership: It enables partners to address political, economic, and security concerns together, fostering a stronger, more comprehensive bilateral and multilateral strategic relationship.
